Heather Broster
A word we use a lot around our house is borraccia, which has a number of translations including water bottle, canteen, flask and thermos. Why? Because my three year old has the terrible habit of constantly misplacing his! Borraccia is a feminine noun that comes from the Spanish borracha, meaning “leather jug”. It takes the …
Today, we want to discuss the meaning of a very common Italian idiom: Cercare il pelo nell’uovo (literally “to search for a hair in the egg”). This expression, which is very familiar to most Italians, signifies being overly meticulous and seeking out faults and flaws in others, even when they are imperceptible or non-existent. In …
Across the globe, the concept of independence holds a significant place in the historical narratives of numerous nations. Whether it is the 4th of July in the United States, Bastille Day in France, or La Festa della Repubblica in Italy, these national holidays provide a collective opportunity for citizens to reflect upon their shared history, …
Are you ready to start learning Italian? You’re in good company! Embarking on the journey of learning a new language, be it Italian or any other of the world’s 6000+ tongues, can be both exhilarating and challenging at the same time. Italian is currently one of the most popular choices for language enthusiasts, and for …
Stravolto is an adjective you can expect to hear fairly often in daily Italian conversation, but what does it mean? Let’s take a look now! Stravolto comes from the verb stravolgere which means “to turn something on its head” “to distort” or “to upset”, or in a more positive sense, “to revolutionise”. It is the …
What do the acts of prodding, poking, teasing and stimulating all have in common? They are all linked by the verb stuzzicare in Italian, as we’ll discover below! The origin of stuzzicare appears to be uncertain. Devoto-Oli claims it comes from the verb tuzzare meaning “to strike at the tip,” while Treccani suggests it is …