Learn English – “Wet the beak” metaphor / idiom

idiomsmetaphors

I am trying to understand the metaphor "wet my beak" from the famous American movie "The Godfather: Part II".

In the film a local mafia boss in New York City tells the protagonist (an Italian immigrant who has just begun to experiment in crime):

Young man, I hear that you and your friends are stealing goods…
You should let me wet my beak a little.

Wikitionary says:

wet one's beak

(idiomatic) To drink a beverage.  [quotations ▼]

(idiomatic, gangster
slang) To take one's share from the financial proceeds of illicit
activity

So, I understand that the mafia boss is saying that one wants to take his share from the financial proceeds of illicit activity. However, I an still unclear on the idea behind this metaphor.

Why is the mafia boss likening himself and the protagonist to birds? Why not some other animal, like dogs, wolves, bears, etc?

If they are birds and the water is their financial proceeds of illicit activity, then is the protagonist taking a bird bath?

Best Answer

They are not using the bird metaphor to suggest that they are like birds, but to express the meaning that the idiom conveys. He is saying that he wants to take part in the illicit activities to have his own share. "Wet my beak" is a metaphor for drinking, so if they let him have a drink with them, they can "enjoy" together.

Wet (one's) beak:

  • To partake in part of the profits of another person's business, usually as a result of extortion. (Used especially in reference to organized crime, particularly "protection money" paid to the Italian Mafia.)

    • Trust me, you're better off just giving him what he wants whenever he comes round to wet his beak. If you don't pay up, you'll have bigger problems. (AHD)

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