Oggi non esco a pranzo, ho la schiscetta. This is the kind of thing you’d hear in any Milanese office when the clock strikes lunchtime. It simply means “’I’m not going out for lunch, I brought my lunchbox,” but doesn’t schiscetta just sound so much more fun? In Italian we have an incredibly specific vocabulary …
There’s nothing like standing at the bar counter, waiting for our foamy cappuccino, when someone leans in and whispers La sai l’ultima? (Literally, do you know the latest?). And just like that, our morning routine becomes a lot more interesting! I know, I know: gossiping is not exactly a noble hobby. But let’s be honest, …
Popular tourist spots can come with a side of “unwanted attention,” and the streets of Rome or Florence are no exception: I’m talking street vendors who really (really!) want you to buy something, people placing a rose in your hand and then demanding payment for it before you can even say “no thanks.” Or even …
Autostrada, sottopassaggio, lungolago: what do these three Italian words have in common (apart from the fact that you’ll likely spot them on road signs during your Italian road trip)? They are all nouns made up of two words fused together into one. In Italian, we call them parole composte — compound words. The adjective composto …
Italy has some truly amazing train rides. And soon enough, with summer approaching and itineraries taking shape, you may soon find yourself standing in an Italian station, perhaps feeling a bit confused while checking your phone, and feeling the growing suspicion you may be on the wrong platform. So whether you’re hopping on a high-speed …
There’s this widespread idea that life in Italy is slow, that we do everything senza fretta (unhurried), lingering over espresso in the sunshine while the rest of the world moves fast. And while I’m not a fan of stereotypes, I have to admit this one gives me the perfect excuse to dive into some great …