what does this term actually mean?

It means to do something that will get you into a high status in the Mafia, i think it gets you made. Like if you kill someone inportant that the Mafia hates.

In general, "making your bones" means that someone is formally inducted into the Mafia. We like to think that it means that an "associate" (someone who isn't yet made) "makes his bones" after he kills someone that the Family wants killed. But he can be made for other reasons (loyalty, good earner, "opened the books" after a long interval).

so was moe green ever in the mob?

MOE: (angry)

Sonofabitch -- Do you know who I am? I'm Moe Greene! I made my bones when you were going out with cheerleaders!

Good catch, Beavis! Moe Green was based on Bugsy Siegel. While non-Italians like Siegel and Meyer Lansky weren't permitted to be "made members" of the Mafia, they had their own organizations, and often closely cooperated with the Mafia. Lansky served for decades as a kind of "super-consigliere" to various Dons, while Siegel relocated from NY to LA more or less full-time in 1935 to act as Luciano's rep on the West Coast. Moe probably used "made my bones" as a generic boast--something he thought would impress Michael, who made his own bones with the Sollozzo/McCluskey shootings.

an associate is not particularly a Mob member but does work closely near them. When ya "make ya bones" you are at the rank of "Foot soldier"..AKA. "Button man"..AKA..."Made Guy"... u serve underneath one Caporegime (Captain)

Making your Bones. Putting in work. Earning your stripes. Paying your dues.

It goes a little bit further than just whacking a guy. You gotta earn your respect. You gotta get your balls busted. You gotta put in time and show all those around you that this is what you wanna do in your life.

:rolleyes: