Porpo: Octopus (‘polpo’ in standard Italian).   Example: ‘Che s’ha preparare un po’ di porpo pe’ antipasto?’ (‘Should we make a little octopus for an antipasto?’)     Un gni parea ivvero: He could not believe it.   Example: ‘

Tronata, Va' ia, Covaccino Your in-progress dictionary of the Florentine dialect by Francesco Stefanelli + Alexandra Lawrence   Tronata: A hard fall.   Example: ‘Maremma, che tronata ho battuto con la bicicletta!’ (‘Damn, I took a hard fall on my bike!’)     Va’ ia:

Volata: Fit of rage or anger. To freak out.   Example: ‘Se un tu la smetti di fare confusione piglio una volata di quelle che tu te ne ricordi!’ (‘If you don’t stop messing around I am going to freak out so bad that you&

Buzzurri: Name for the Swiss citizens who would go south into Italy during the winter to sell polenta and roasted chestnuts   Stonfo: A loud bang   Example: ‘Maremma, che stonfo hanno picchiato quelle du’ macchine!’ (‘Damn, what a loud bang those cars made when they

Ceppo:  In Italian, a ceppo is a tree stump or a log, but in Florence it was once something much more meaningful. Of ancient origin, the tradition was to take a thick trunk of wood that had been cut down shortly before the holiday and burn it in the

Appestato: Intensifier used to indicate something that is highly exaggerated   Example: ‘L’arrosto un si mangia, lè salato appestato!’ (‘The roast is inedible; it is salted to the gills!’)     Lìcitte: Bathroom   Example: ‘O nìni, vo&

Cinta: Belt Example: ‘Che te la se’ messa la cinta? Tu perdi i calzoni!’ (‘Did you put on your belt? Your pants are falling down!’)     Aradio: Radio Example: ‘Allora, spegni l’aradio, un si dorme!’ (‘Oh, turn off the

Partire: To divvy something up (bread, wine, meat, etc.); to give out   Example: ‘O nìni, parti i’ pane così e s’inizia a mangiare.’ (‘Little one, divvy up the bread so we can start eating.’)     Àndito: Entranceway

Sfavato: Bored to death, unmotivated, unenthusiastic.   Example: ‘Icchè t’hai oggi? Ti vedo sfavato.’ (‘What’s wrong with you today? You look totally bored to death.’)     Cimbardosa: A gossip, big mouth, windbag.   Example: ‘Quella cimbardosa di’ piano

  Essere un muso: To be a tough guy. One who has a large set of certain male attributes. In polite company, we might use the expression ‘to have guts.’ Example: ‘Di certo i’ tù fratello l’è proprio un muso, unnà avuto paura di que’ delinquenti!’ (‘Your brother sure has guts! He wasn’t even afraid […]