Dago (pronounced day-goh) is a derogatory term for a person of Hispanic or Italian descent. Webster 1913 lists it as being a "nickname", but I certainly wouldn't suggest calling anyone a dago unless you were looking to be bitchslapped. The name may have come from a variation of the common name "Diego", which would be more of an association with Hispanic culture rather than Italian.

Da"go (?), n.; pl. Dagos (#). [Cf. Sp. Diego, E. James.]

A nickname given to a person of Spanish (or, by extension, Portuguese or Italian) descent.

[U. S.]

 

© Webster 1913.

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