Since this issue is dedicated to students, we wanted
to give them some words and phrases they will hear every day as they begin to
settle into their new, temporary home. So students, take a few minutes to learn
these key expressions in the local vernacular. Don’t miss the chance to impress
your friends and the locals with your superb knowledge of the Florentine
dialect!
Babbo: Perhaps the most famous Florentinism, babbo is also one of the most
beautiful and affectionate words we have. It means ‘father’, but the
pronunciation of this word gives it a deeper significance than the colder
‘padre’ or ‘papà’ we find in Italian. Etymologically speaking, we can find
origins of this word in several languages, including the Turkish baba and Greek
pappas.
Next time you call home, instead of the typical ‘Hi,
Dad!’, try saying ‘Ciao, babbo!‘ instead.
Cicchino (chee-kino): Cigarette.
Si esce fuori a fumare un cicchino? Should we go outside for a smoke?
Fare
forca: To play hooky from
school.
Oggi fò forca perchè c’è i’ compito di
matematica! I’m playing hooky today since there’s math
homework due!
Troiaio: Commonly used to indicate a dirty place or
something done badly. Can also be used to express disgust.
Che
troiaio era quel film! That
film was awful!
Quel piatto di pasta era un gran troiaio! That pasta was disgusting!
What are your favorite Florentinisms? Write to redazione@theflorentine.net with your top picks, including definitions. Be a co-author!
