Capo is short for two terms: A capotasto or a caporegime. A capotasto or capodaster, is an Italian term for the head of the fingerboard of a stringed instrument. This particular apparatus enables one to shorten the length of the strings, so as to increase the level of the pitch in, say, a guitar for example.
Several varieties of capo can be found, the one most commonly used is a bar covered with rubber to keep the strings in place.
Capo is also short for a caporegime, a name given to a top ranking person of a family who deals in criminal activity, that is, the Mafia. A capo basically refers to the leader of a team of soldiers. The capo works as the intermediate between the Mafioso Boss and his crew. This helps prevent security breaches in the organisation as no activity can be traced back to the Boss.
Initially, caporegime meant the chief of a family, mostly used in Sicily. The meaning however, has since changed and today denotes a member of high rank, as in a Captain.
Several varieties of capo can be found, the one most commonly used is a bar covered with rubber to keep the strings in place.
Capo is also short for a caporegime, a name given to a top ranking person of a family who deals in criminal activity, that is, the Mafia. A capo basically refers to the leader of a team of soldiers. The capo works as the intermediate between the Mafioso Boss and his crew. This helps prevent security breaches in the organisation as no activity can be traced back to the Boss.
Initially, caporegime meant the chief of a family, mostly used in Sicily. The meaning however, has since changed and today denotes a member of high rank, as in a Captain.