regular gang

[KLPNO]

Hello everyone,

In the 1964 movie Mission to Venice Michael in one scene tells his friend Giuseppe to follow two men.

A little later Michael asks Giuseppe, "Did you follow the one in the white suit?” and he answers, “Yes, yes, but it was a real expedition.” In a few moments he adds, “They're a regular gang. They live in a palace, a real fortress.”

What is the meaning of "regular" here? Is it "real", "genuine", "absolute" implying that they are not just two thugs, but members of a larger (and probably well-organized group/organization)?

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14. Informal.

• real or genuine; down-to-earth; decent: a regular guy.
• absolute; thoroughgoing: a regular rascal.

 

[probus]

I feel that slang usage of "regular" is rather dated and outmoded. I certainly recognize it but I am over 75 years of age. Perhaps some of our younger teachers would weigh in here. @jutfrank @emsr2d2 @Skrej

 

[emsr2d2]

I feel that slang usage of "regular" is rather dated and outmoded. I certainly recognize it but I am over 75 years of age. Perhaps some of our younger teachers would weigh in here. @jutfrank @emsr2d2 @Skrej

Now that I've stopped laughing at the concept of my being a "younger teacher", I'll answer that! I'm certainly familiar with the usage, although my brain didn't immediately go to it when I heard the quote in post #1. However, the second informal definition fits perfectly.
As far as current usage goes, I can give you an example of my using it! I recently caught a boy spraying graffiti on the back wall of our building at work (for the third time in as many weeks). When I opened the back door and saw what he was doing, I said "Really? You again? You're a regular little sh*t, aren't you?" He smirked and ran off.
(To be clear, I used "regular" to mean "absolute/complete"; I wasn't suggesting that he regularly graffitis walls, even though that appears to be true!)