--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: With wiseguys, you don't know a guy by…" description: "\"With wiseguys, you don't know a guy by his name, only by his nickname. You never asked a guy for his last name.\" — Joseph D. Pistone" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ae/joseph-d-pistone-24411_his_with-wiseguys-you-don-t-know-a-guy-by-hi_434880.jpg" --- # With wiseguys, you don't know a guy by his name, only by… ![“With wiseguys, you don't know a guy by his name, only by his nickname. You never asked a guy for his last name.” quote by Joseph D. Pistone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ae/joseph-d-pistone-24411_his_with-wiseguys-you-don-t-know-a-guy-by-hi_434880.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ae/joseph-d-pistone-24411_his_with-wiseguys-you-don-t-know-a-guy-by-hi_434880.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ae/joseph-d-pistone-24411_his_with-wiseguys-you-don-t-know-a-guy-by-hi_434880.jpg) > “With wiseguys, you don't know a guy by his name, only by his nickname. You never asked a guy for his last name.” [Joseph D. Pistone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-d-pistone/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Nicknames often convey identity more powerfully than formal names, especially in close-knit or secretive groups. **In simple terms:** Nicknames define identity. Key Takeaway Notice how people refer to each other. Themes identity language culture Mood analytical observational Type sociological cultural When to use this quote - gangs - online communities - sports teams Key Concepts social dynamics informal naming group cohesion Questions to Reflect On - What does a nickname reveal about a person? - When can nicknames be harmful? A Different Perspective Relying on nicknames can obscure legal accountability. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet ## Related quotes > [“Why did you draw the chick in the ocean so fat and ugly?" asked a guy in a black tank top. "Where?" Kayla said.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-pack/why-did-you-draw-the-chick-in-the-ocean-so-fat-and-ugly-asked-a-guy/) Thomas Pack > [“years," said one guy. "What happened?" asked the other guy.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/various/years-said-one-guy-what-happened-asked-the-other-guy/) Various > [One day... A nude guy was sunbathing on a beach... He has no clothes at all and there came this little girl to him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/one-day-a-nude-guy-was-sunbathing-on-a-beach-he-has-no-clothes-at-all/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [I remember when my first child was born, and I had a script that was due, and I asked the guy I was writing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/d-b-weiss/i-remember-when-my-first-child-was-born-and-i-had-a-script-that-was/) [D. B. Weiss](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/d-b-weiss/) > [No, I haven't asked for a guy's number, but I've always wanted to.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carly-rae-jepsen/no-i-haven-t-asked-for-a-guy-s-number-but-i-ve-always-wanted-to/) [Carly Rae Jepsen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carly-rae-jepsen/) > [When I was a kid, I went to the store and asked the guy, Do you have any toy train schedules?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steven-wright/when-i-was-a-kid-i-went-to-the-store-and-asked-the-guy-do-you-have/) [Steven Wright](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steven-wright/) > [I asked, 'What is this guy?' They said, he's part-fish, part-bird, maybe a bit of lizard, and you don't have to go through five…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geoffrey-rush/i-asked-what-is-this-guy-they-said-he-s-part-fish-part-bird-maybe-a/) [Geoffrey Rush](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geoffrey-rush/) > [My name is Gomez, that's my last name.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/taboo/my-name-is-gomez-that-s-my-last-name/) [Taboo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/taboo/) > [A lot of people think that my last name is Gray. My middle name is Gray, and my last name is Beech.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/loren-gray/a-lot-of-people-think-that-my-last-name-is-gray-my-middle-name-is/) [Loren Gray](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/loren-gray/) > [“you know everything you need to know about a guy by seeing how he treats waiters.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeffrey-gettleman/you-know-everything-you-need-to-know-about-a-guy-by-seeing-how-he/) [Jeffrey Gettleman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeffrey-gettleman/) > [10 things a girl probably doesn't know about a guy : 1. Guys are more emotional then they think, if they loved them truly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/10-things-a-girl-probably-doesn-t-know-about-a-guy-1-guys-are-more/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [It's good to know the guy who's holding onto your wire is someone you trust and you know he's not going to let you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jack-reynor/it-s-good-to-know-the-guy-who-s-holding-onto-your-wire-is-someone-you/) [Jack Reynor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jack-reynor/) > [I think - you know, I'm a guy that - I don't live on the earth just to walk it. I live on here…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tracy-mcgrady/i-think-you-know-i-m-a-guy-that-i-don-t-live-on-the-earth-just-to/) [Tracy McGrady](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tracy-mcgrady/) > [I know I'm not the only guy that you has their attention, but I'm the one that's working my way & trying to prove…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/i-know-i-m-not-the-only-guy-that-you-has-their-attention-but-i-m-the/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [“I know the guy your parents don't like is exactly the kind of guy you think you want. But the idea of the bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shana-norris/i-know-the-guy-your-parents-don-t-like-is-exactly-the-kind-of-guy-you/) [Shana Norris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shana-norris/) ## More by Joseph D. Pistone > [Unless you are absolutely positive that your wife has no connection to the Mafia, even three or four times removed, do yourself a favor…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-d-pistone/unless-you-are-absolutely-positive-that-your-wife-has-no-connection/) [Joseph D. Pistone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-d-pistone/) > [A good undercover agent stays as close to the truth as possible, as close to your own personality and your own values as possible.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-d-pistone/a-good-undercover-agent-stays-as-close-to-the-truth-as-possible-as/) [Joseph D. Pistone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-d-pistone/) > [One thing I take great pride in is that my case was the one that started the decline of the Mafia.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-d-pistone/one-thing-i-take-great-pride-in-is-that-my-case-was-the-one-that/) [Joseph D. Pistone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-d-pistone/) > [I was Donnie Brasco, the Mafia guy, in character. But in my head, I was a special agent. I never lost sight of who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-d-pistone/i-was-donnie-brasco-the-mafia-guy-in-character-but-in-my-head-i-was-a/) [Joseph D. Pistone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-d-pistone/) > ['Donnie Brasco' was 85 percent on the money. The only thing that they slanted was my feelings for Lefty and Sonny', and this idea…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-d-pistone/donnie-brasco-was-85-percent-on-the-money-the-only-thing-that-they/) [Joseph D. Pistone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-d-pistone/) > [I'm always leery about bumping into somebody. One time I was with my wife in a restaurant, I saw somebody from my undercover days,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-d-pistone/i-m-always-leery-about-bumping-into-somebody-one-time-i-was-with-my/) [Joseph D. Pistone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-d-pistone/) > ['The Godfather' is a great movie, but it gives them too much credit. What you don't see is what really takes place: the in-fighting,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-d-pistone/the-godfather-is-a-great-movie-but-it-gives-them-too-much-credit-what/) [Joseph D. Pistone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-d-pistone/) > [I rarely carried a gun undercover.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-d-pistone/i-rarely-carried-a-gun-undercover/) [Joseph D. Pistone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-d-pistone/) > [As a teen-ager I played cards, shot craps, played pool, went to the track, hung around social clubs. I knew that some card and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-d-pistone/as-a-teen-ager-i-played-cards-shot-craps-played-pool-went-to-the/) [Joseph D. Pistone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-d-pistone/) > [I knew how wiseguys acted. I knew the mentality. I knew things to do and not to do. Keep your mouth shut at certain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-d-pistone/i-knew-how-wiseguys-acted-i-knew-the-mentality-i-knew-things-to-do/) [Joseph D. Pistone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-d-pistone/) > [I didn't try to be a tough guy. I didn't try to be a big mobster. I was who I was. I didn't stop…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-d-pistone/i-didn-t-try-to-be-a-tough-guy-i-didn-t-try-to-be-a-big-mobster-i-was/) [Joseph D. Pistone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-d-pistone/) > [I left a lot of personal stuff out of 'Donnie Brasco.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-d-pistone/i-left-a-lot-of-personal-stuff-out-of-donnie-brasco/) [Joseph D. Pistone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-d-pistone/) > [Watching the dailies and then watching the... episodes, it really hits you: 'Damn, I did that?' I must have been crazy to get into…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-d-pistone/watching-the-dailies-and-then-watching-the-episodes-it-really-hits/) [Joseph D. Pistone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-d-pistone/) > [When you wear a wire, you're always in danger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-d-pistone/when-you-wear-a-wire-you-re-always-in-danger/) [Joseph D. Pistone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-d-pistone/) > [I grew up in a city, an Italian, knowing what the Mafia was.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-d-pistone/i-grew-up-in-a-city-an-italian-knowing-what-the-mafia-was/) [Joseph D. Pistone](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-d-pistone/) [Explore all 24 Joseph D. Pistone quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-d-pistone/) ## More His quotes > [I build on Christ, the rock of ages; on his sure mercies described in his word, and on his promises, all which I know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-wesley/i-build-on-christ-the-rock-of-ages-on-his-sure-mercies-described-in/) [John Wesley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-wesley/) > [Safin, in his way, is very talented. It is a joy to watch them play; it is tennis of a very high quality.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-krajicek/safin-in-his-way-is-very-talented-it-is-a-joy-to-watch-them-play-it/) [Richard Krajicek](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-krajicek/) > [I really believe if GSP and Silva fight, Georges will have his hand raised.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matt-hughes/i-really-believe-if-gsp-and-silva-fight-georges-will-have-his-hand/) [Matt Hughes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matt-hughes/) > [Kenny King, his character on TV is him.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bobby-lashley/kenny-king-his-character-on-tv-is-him/) [Bobby Lashley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bobby-lashley/) > [After we first met, Prince told me Graham Central Station was one of his biggest influences - then he went back and listened to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-graham/after-we-first-met-prince-told-me-graham-central-station-was-one-of/) [Larry Graham](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-graham/) > [In a recent decision of the Supreme Court, not made, however, by the full court, and concurred in by only four justices, it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-bates-clark/in-a-recent-decision-of-the-supreme-court-not-made-however-by-the/) [John Bates Clark](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-bates-clark/) > [Aaron Spelling always had his finger on the pulse of pop culture, he knew what the public wanted to see. He was one of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alyssa-milano/aaron-spelling-always-had-his-finger-on-the-pulse-of-pop-culture-he/) [Alyssa Milano](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alyssa-milano/) > [“Joe!” he groaned, attempting to speak clearly. “Joe! Good ol’ Joe!” “Captain, you’re drunk!” Lofflin said, stating the obvious while trying to keep his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christina-engela/joe-he-groaned-attempting-to-speak-clearly-joe-good-ol-joe-captain/) [Christina Engela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christina-engela/) > [Our son Gautam is very shy, just like his father.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/namrata-shirodkar/our-son-gautam-is-very-shy-just-like-his-father/) [Namrata Shirodkar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/namrata-shirodkar/) > [I've been so lucky with the people I've worked with, but I'm such a fan girl. When I moved to London at 16, I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sheridan-smith/i-ve-been-so-lucky-with-the-people-i-ve-worked-with-but-i-m-such-a/) [Sheridan Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sheridan-smith/) > [I don't mind people want to think Muhammad is the greatest fighter around. Everybody wants to make him great because of his mouth, that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joe-frazier/i-don-t-mind-people-want-to-think-muhammad-is-the-greatest-fighter/) [Joe Frazier](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joe-frazier/) > [I was a serious competitive figure skater and still ice-skate as much as I can. Anyway, I once brought a date to the rink…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/christian-serratos/i-was-a-serious-competitive-figure-skater-and-still-ice-skate-as-much/) [Christian Serratos](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/christian-serratos/) > [A conversation does not have to be scintillating in order to be memorable. I once met a president of the United States, and his…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dick-cavett/a-conversation-does-not-have-to-be-scintillating-in-order-to-be/) [Dick Cavett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dick-cavett/) > [Ireland starts for me with the end of 'The Dead,' which my father read to me from his desk in his basement office in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-jeremiah-sullivan/ireland-starts-for-me-with-the-end-of-the-dead-which-my-father-read/) [John Jeremiah Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-jeremiah-sullivan/) > [I've followed Gary Oldman his whole career... I've watched the movies he's directed, like 'Nil by Mouth' - I've seen that five times!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-kinnaman/i-ve-followed-gary-oldman-his-whole-career-i-ve-watched-the-movies-he/) [Joel Kinnaman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-kinnaman/) Browse all 5,198 His quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "With wiseguys, you don't know a guy by his name, only by his nickname. You never asked a guy for his last name.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Joseph D. Pistone" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-d-pistone/with-wiseguys-you-don-t-know-a-guy-by-his-name-only-by-his-nickname/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "His" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-d-pistone/with-wiseguys-you-don-t-know-a-guy-by-his-name-only-by-his-nickname/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ae/joseph-d-pistone-24411_his_with-wiseguys-you-don-t-know-a-guy-by-hi_434880.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ae/joseph-d-pistone-24411_his_with-wiseguys-you-don-t-know-a-guy-by-hi_434880.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/7ae/joseph-d-pistone-24411_his_with-wiseguys-you-don-t-know-a-guy-by-hi_434880.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“With wiseguys, you don't know a guy by his name, only by his nickname. You never asked a guy for his last…” — Joseph D. Pistone", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Joseph D. Pistone", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joseph-d-pistone/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "With wiseguys, you don't know a...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-d-pistone/with-wiseguys-you-don-t-know-a-guy-by-his-name-only-by-his-nickname/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joseph-d-pistone/with-wiseguys-you-don-t-know-a-guy-by-his-name-only-by-his-nickname/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```