the first written use of the word mafia has it being said on a list of rebels against the catholic church. it meant "boldness, ambition, pride", and since none of these were considered appropriate for a woman it is the name of a witch. many people also believe that arabic affected the word 'mafia' during the period of arab control of sicily, after the fall of the roman empire in 846 ad. 'mahias' is an arab word meaning 'bold man', and this is believed to be incorporated into the modern term mafia, which also suggests the bold and argumentative nature of its constituents.