Diario di un Fiorentino

Yes, it’s part seven of typical florentine expressions :-)

1) nostràle, it means ours, from our places. It is used at the market to indicate a product that is not imported from a foreign country, often produced in our region or city. Quanto costano quei pomodori? Che sono nostrali? (How much are those tomatoes? Are they from our city?).

2) gràtisse, it is a variant of gratis (free of charge). Oggi i musei sono gratisse! (Today the museums are free!).

3) bullétta, it is a variant of chiodo (tack). Ho messo una bulletta alla porta per fissarla! (I put a tack on the door to secure it).

4) partìre, it literally means to go away, but sometimes it means also to slice some food. Parti i’ pane! (Slice the bread!).

5) fare una parte, it literally means to make a part. It means to scold someone. Ha fatto un grande errore, il capo gli ha fatto una parte! (He made a big mistake, the boss scolded him!).

6) sai i’ che?, it means do you know what? It is used at the beginning of a sentence, for example when expressing a desire or an intention. Sai i’ che? Sono stanco, torno a casa! (Do you know what? I am tired, I come back home!).

7) ‘unn’è vero, it means non è vero (it’s not true). It’s very used.

8) ma di che, it means ma di che ringrazi? (for which reason you say thanks?). It is used to say welcome. Grazie per l’aiuto! Ma di che, non c’è problema! (Thank you for the help! Welcome, no problem!).

9) pastràno, it is a variant of giubbòtto (jacket). It usually indicates a winter heavy jacket. Con questo freddo mi ci vuole il pastrano! (With this cold weather I need the heavy jacket!).

10) avere, here it is the florentine conjugation of the verb to have, indicative present.

Io c’ho (io ho, I have).
Te tu c’hai (tu hai, you have).
Lui c’ha (egli ha, he has).
Lei la c’ha (lei ha, she has).
Noi ci s’ha (noi abbiamo, we have).
Voi vu c’avee (voi avete, you have).
Loro c’hanno (essi hanno, they have).

11) essere, here it is the florentine conjugation of the verb to be, indicative present.

Io sono (I am).
Te tu sei (tu sei, you are).
Lui gl’è (lui è, he is).
Lei l’è (lei è, she is).
Noi siamo (we are).
Voi vu siete (voi siete, you are).
Loro sono (essi sono, they are).

12) andare, here it is the florentine conjugation of the verb to go, indicative present.

Io vo (Io vado, I go).
Te tu vai (tu vai, you go).
Egli va (he goes).
Lei la va (lei va, she goes).
Noi si va (noi andiamo, we go).
Voi vu andate (voi andate, you go).
Loro vanno (essi vanno, they go).

13) vorsùto, it is a variant of voluto (wanted). ‘Un ero d’accordo, ma loro gl’hanno vorsuto così! (I did not agree, but they wanted this way!).

14) riscóntro, it means draught. Questa è una porta a prova di riscontro! (This is a draught proofing door!).

15) fare un casino dell’ottanta, it means to make an eighty mess, in the sense to make a big confusion or noise. Ottanta is used to strengthen the sentence. Gl’ha fatto un casino dell’ottanta! (He made a huge mess!).

16) un monte, it literally means a mountain, in the sense a lot. C’ha un monte di problemi! (He has so many problems!). Non la disturbare, la c’ha un monte da fare! (Don’t disturb her, she has a lot to do!). Ci s’ha un monte di lavoro! (We have a lot of work!).

17) grèmbio, it is a variant of grembiule (apron). Usa il grembio per cucinare! (Put the apron for cooking!).

18) aspettàre a glòria, it means to wait for glory. It is used in the sense to look forward for someone/something, often with impatience. Aspetto a gloria il giorno in cui diventerai il Presidente della società! (I am looking forward the day you’ll become the President of the society!).

19) giùe, it means giù (down, below). It is used as an exclamation to express surprise, regret or approval. Giùe! E piove anche oggi! (Here we go again! It rains today too!).

20) impiantìto, it is a variant of pavimento (floor). It is used to indicate the floor of the house. Hai pulito l’impiantito? (Did you clean the floor?).

Here I want to make a list of some common art related mistakes about Florence.

1) Fontana del Porcellino, this fountain at Loggia del Mercato Nuovo is a replica (made by Fonderia Marinelli) of the famous fountain made about in 1633 by Pietro Tacca.

The base of the fountain was collocated in the Lapidarium of Museo di S. Marco in 1857, replaced with a replica by Giovanni Benelli and then restored by Elena Della Schiava from 2008 to 2010. The fountain was restored in 1998 and moved to the Bardini Museum. It is worth noting that Pietro Tacca’s fountain is itself a replica of an ellenistic marble Cinghiale now at the Uffizi: indeed the name Porcellino is improper, since the animal is a boar.

2) Giuditta e Oloferne, this bronze sculpture by Donatello was placed in Piazza della Signoria in 1494, but then moved to the Loggia dei Lanzi in 1504, to make place for Michelangelo’s David. The sculpture was then replaced with Ratto delle Sabine by Giambologna and moved again to the Arengario. After a restoration in 1988 it was placed in Palazzo Vecchio. The sculpture actually in the Piazza is a replica.

3) Façade of Duomo, the original façade, originally designed by Arnolfo di Cambio (with perhaps some contributions by Giotto) was left unfinished. It was then dismantled in 1587-1588 by Bernardo Buontalenti. A competition for a new façade took place in 1861, but there was no winner. A second competition followed in 1864, and it was won by Emilio de Fabriis, but his proposal was debated. So there was a third competition in 1865, again won by de Fabriis in 1867, who then defined all the details of his project in the following two years. The final project was approved in 1870 and on July 4 de Fabriis became “architect of the façade of Santa Maria del Fiore”. Luigi del Moro continued the work after de Fabriis died in 1883, and the façade was completed in 1887.

4) Orsanmichele, the sculptures in the 14 niches of the façades are all replicas. The originals are all in the Museo di Orsanmichele, except the S. Giorgio by Donatello, which in 1891 was moved to the Bargello.

5) Porta del Paradiso, the east doors of the Baptistery are replicas. Vasari wrote that Michelangelo said about these doors elle son tanto belle che elle starebbon bene alle porte del Paradiso (they are so beautiful that they would be fine at the heaven’s doors). The door was removed in 1943 to save it from bombardments and then placed again in the Baptistery in 1948. After the damages provoked by the flood in 1966, it was moved to the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. The restoration was completed in 2012.

6) Marzocco, this sculpture made by Donatello in 1419-1420 is actually at the Museo del Bargello. The one visible in the Piazza is a replica. The Marzocco is a heraldic lion symbol of Florence.

7) All the historic bridges that you see nowadays in Florence (with the exception of Ponte Vecchio) were rebuilt after being mined by the Nazis on the night between August 3 and 4, 1944: Ponte San Niccolò, Ponte alle Grazie, Ponte Santa Trinita, Ponte alla Carraia, and Ponte alla Vittoria.

8) Mona Lisa, the correct name is Monna Lisa, with two n. Monna is the diminutive of Madonna, which means mia donna (literally, my woman). It derives from the latin mea domina and is equivalent to the french madame. Mona (with a single n) in the venetian or milanese dialects is used to indicate a stupid person or the female genitals.

9) Façade of Santa Croce, the façade was designed by Niccolò Matas, and made between 1853 and 1863.

Today I want to tell you a story.

It’s a story of suffering, courage, and freedom. It’s about the liberation of Florence from the nazis, that started on August 11, 1944.

On August 3, while the insurrectional forces were organizing a strategy to face off the nazi occupation, they were surprised by a strategic move from the german headquarters, aimed to block every activity in the city. After noon, the following nazi regulation was hitting the streets of Florence:

Firenze, August 3 1944, hour 2:00pm.

For the security of the population we order:
1) starting from now on, it is forbidden to anyone to leave home and walk in the streets or piazzas of Florence city;
2) all the windows, even those of the cellars, as the entrances of the churches and the doorways must remain closed night and day;
3) we recommend the population to stay in the cellars, and where these are not available to go in the churches or in big buildings;
4) german patrols are instructed to shoot against people coming on the streets or looking out the windows.

Florence City’s Commander.

Without water and electric current, the streets disseminated of corpses (both of nazis and italians), german patrols and armored cars wandered in an (apparently) desert city, shooting on anyone eventually in the streets or anything moving from ajar windows.

With the allied troops far from the city, the partisans then attempted to save the bridges, already mined by the nazis.

On the evening of August 3, two teams of braves tried to cut the wires connecting the mines placed at Ponte alla Vittoria to the blow up station. Sighted by the germans, a violent firefight followed, resulting in one of the partisans’ chiefs killed and one partisan injured: the crews were forced to fall back.

At Ponte alla Carraia another company fought to avoid further destructions. The germans were defending the bridge with four machine guns and some vedettes. When the germans started to fall back, it was evident that they were preparing to blow up the bridge. At that moment, a platoon of the above company began attacking two of the four mentioned machine guns, but the german reacted with tenacity and while retreating they blew up the mines and the bridge exploded. After some hours of firefight the patriots suffered the loss of another partisan, and four were injured.

On the night of August 3, all the five bridges exploded (Ponte San Niccolò, Ponte alle Grazie, Ponte Santa Trinita, Ponte alla Carraia, Ponte alla Vittoria). It all started at 10:00pm with fearful explosions. Two hours later another huge explosion occurred, and then other explosions continued until 4:00-5.00am, provoking columns of smoke spreading from the bridges’ ruins.

Only the Ponte Vecchio was saved. Some thought that the nazis didn’t want to sacrifice such an artwork. Some others argued that even if collapsed, it would have been possible to cross the river, because of the huge amount of ruins it would have produced in the water.

Shortly after 5:00am, from Porta Romana the first allied patrol entered in the city, with people starting to spill into the streets to greet the arrival of the allies. The most part of the troops arrived after several hours though, on August 4. The brigade Sinigaglia, the division Arno and the brigade Lanciotto were enthusiastically welcomed in the district Oltrarno della Colonna. The allies allowed the partisans to keep their weapons; the partisans then started a roundup to search for the snipers and germans that were shooting even on the armless people, to terrify the population and slowing the allies’ progression, particularly in the districts of San Frediano, Conventino and San Niccolò.

Meanwhile, the nazis were still on the right side of the Arno. The military base of the CTLN (Comitato Toscano di Liberazione Nazionale, Tuscan Comitate of National Liberation) was installed in the locals of the society Larderello, in Piazza Strozzi n. 2.

At first, the command of the third zone in via Roma n. 4 (which was in the centre of the city) leaded by the Partito d’Azione, acted as the connection centre. To be able to follow both the germans and allied movements, a standpoint was settled on the Cupola del Duomo, including a deputy commander, a political commissar, and a chief from the first commander’s core.

On August 4, only a few people attempted to leave home, but the following day, missing water and food, women and boys started to queue in front of the water nozzles and the doorways with available wells, as well as in front of the bakeries and the few peddlers selling fruit and vegetables.

On August 6, a german bulletin from the nazis command allowed women and boys to leave home in determined hours of the day to supply with water and food. But the lack of electric current, gas and manpower, forced the backers to distribute flour instead of bread, or even directly grain and maize, being the mills destroyed or in disuse.

From the proclamation of the emergency, physicians and red cross personnel had been allowed to circulate freely. Exploiting this possibility, the documents service of the partisan’s command started to produce false medical IDs.

Thanks to the audacity of the partisan Enrico Fischer from the Partito d’Azione, heading the third company of the third zone of the city, it was possibile since August 4 to establish communications between the patriots settled on the right side of the Arno, and the allied command in the Oltrarno.

Indeed Fischer succeeded, shortly after the bridges’ explosion (though the nazis were still occupying a part of Palazzo Vecchio), in going through the Corridoio Vasariano, from the Uffizi to the other side of the river at Palazzo Pitti.

Helped by some municipal guards, he managed to draw a telephone wire along the corridor, linking the opposite riverside with a partisan guardhouse established in Palazzo Vecchio.

Then, with a direct link connecting the military command (in Palazzo Strozzi), the CTLN (in via Condotta) and the partisans in Palazzo Vecchio, was possible to inform the allies about all the operations occurring on the right side of the Arno, including the conditions of the germans and their intentions.

In the occupied zone, the population conditions were becoming even more tragic: there was almost no food and only a small ration of flour was available for the population (never higher than 100 grams per person). As an example, on August 9 only 65 grams of flour per person was distributed.

More than food, the very few water available was selled at extremely high prices.

Furthermore, it was impossible to cure the sicks or to bury the deads, there was a torrid August temperature, and the inability to remove the garbage from the streets.

The allies informed the CTLN, using the above cited telephone line passing through Ponte Vecchio, that they would have cross the river with two columns, upstream and downstream of the city, to avoid further destructions. Also, they assured that they would have not bombarded the city’s centre.

The military command, after having transferred the standpoint from the Cupola del Duomo to the tower of Palazzo Vecchio, so to be nearer to the telephone unit, was continuously informing the allied command about the dislocation of german troops and their artilleries.

Finally, the nazis knew that the time to escape was arrived.

On the afternoon of August 8 the military command, considering imminent the escape of the nazis, issued the state of alarm to their own action teams, prompting them to be ready for the insurrection.

The escape of the germans began on the night between August 10 and 11. Consequently it also started the insurrection, as planned by the allied military command and the CTLN, announced by the ring of the Martinella (a bell of the tower of Palazzo Vecchio) at 6:45am. Shortly after, the bell of Bargello rang too. The patriots were instructed to attack the german rearguards.

At the same time, the CTLN put up this poster in the streets:

The National Liberation Committee, has assumed starting from today, August 11 hour 7:00am, all the powers of temporary government that are due to it, as representative body of tuscan people and for delegation of the democratic government of freed Italy. The strengths of CTLN have occupied the city since today morning and, standing in defense of the city itself, fight against the germans, the fascists and the snipers.

All the citizens must contribute with all their strenghts to the liberation of the city, giving all the moral and material help to our courageous patriots. The heavier sufferings of the population are near to the end with our victory. We greet the victorious allied armies and we prepare to welcome them, with the fraternity that we feel for all the comrades in arms fighting for the same cause. Let’s conquer the right to be free people, fighting and dying for the freedom.

The Tuscan Comitate of National Liberation.

The insurrection had begun.

About at 7:00am, the CTLN left the refuge in via Condotta and entered in Palazzo Medici Riccardi, surrounded by the crackling of machine guns and artillery’s strikes.

People started to leave their homes.

In a semi desert via Cavour there was an applause and some shy invocation from about ten people “Viva il Comitato di Liberazione” (Hurrah the Comitate of Liberation). At the same time, it was settled in Palazzo Medici Riccardi also the military command. The battle of Florence lasted from August 11 to September 1.

There were 205 killed in action, 400 injured, 18 missing, from August 3 to September 2. Overall, in the province of Florence, there were 1530 partisans deported or executed by firing squad.

And then Florence was free.

We can’t forget. We don’t forget. We won’t forget.

Update (11/30/2016): was Ponte Vecchio demined by a citizen?

Reference:

Carlo Francovich, La resistenza a Firenze, La Nuova Italia, 1961

With the recent restoration of the Fontana dello Sprone in Florence, this artwork is being photographed even more, celebrating everywhere the art of Bernardo Buontalenti.

It seems though that the fountain was made by Francesco Generini as cleared by Stefania Galante (Atlante Del Barocco 2007, p. 379).

Indeed the fountain was not made in 1608, but some years later, after completing the works for the aqueduct commissioned by Ferdinando II (1638-1639). It was restored at the beginning of 19th century by Giuseppe Del Rosso and also in 1944 after war damages.

You can check the provided reference on the Repertorio delle Architetture Civili di Firenze for further informations.

Did you think that after 100 florentine expression it was over? ;-)

If you use some of these with a florentine audience, most probably you are going to make them laugh.

1) all’altra, it literally means at the other. It is used especially with exclamations, when you are surprised by an unexpected situation. Attento, all’altra tu caschi! (Attention, you were near to fall!).

2) brusòtto, it is the giubbòtto (jacket). This is very slang, don’t use this word when you ask for a jacket in a shop. :-) A more joking variant is the diminutive brusottìno.

3) eccoci all’acqua, it literally means here we are at the water. It is used when you have to face off a difficult or unexpected situation, to express your surprise or to indicate to pay attention. Ci siamo persi! Eccoci all’acqua! (We are lost! Here it’s the water!).

4) antepàtico, it is a variant of antipatico (unpleasant, annoying person). Come tu sei antepatico! (How annoying you are!).

5) assaettàto, it derives from saétta (arrow, flash of lightning). It has the figurative sense of being hit by an arrow. This adjective is used to strengthen another one. Quel giubbotto gl’è caro assaettato! (That jacket is very expensive!).

6) a regola, it literally means at rule. It’s used with the meaning evidently. Non c’è nessuno nel parcheggio, a regola i’ negozio gl’è chiuso! (There is nobody in the parking, the shop is evidently closed!).

7) tornare di casa, it means to take up residence (literally, house). Gl’è tornato di casa a Firenze! (He took up residence in Florence!).

8) un po’ di più, it means a bit more. It is used with the meaning very much. Penso che lei sia avara. Chi, lei? Un po’ di più! (I think she is miser. Who, her? Indeed she is too much!).

9) bracàre, it means to browse, snoop, poke around for something. Per favore smettila di bracare nella mia stanza! (Please stop snooping in my room!). Bracóne (variant of impiccióne) is a curious, nosy person that is too much interested in other’s people business.

10) bórda, it is an exclamation used to express the quickness of a just occurred event. Borda! Gl’ha rotto il bicchiere! (Ooops! He has broken the glass!).

11) brontolàre, it is a variant of rimproverare (to scold). Compòrtati bene, sennò la mamma ti bróntola! (Behave properly otherwise mom scolds you!).

12) buggeràre, it means to cheat, fool, swindle someone. Ti hanno buggerato! (They cheated you!).

13) buzzùrro, anciently it seems that this word was used to indicate someone cooking/selling castagnaccio or pattóna (that in Florence is a variant for polenta, though in Italy indicates a polenta made with chestnut flour). It is used to indicate a rough, boorish, loutish person.

14) essere di casa (stare di casa), it means to be used to doing/frequenting something/someplace, not to be confounded with the standard expression essere a casa (or stare a casa), which literally means to be at home. It is used to indicate (also in a figurative sense) someone/something that is very commonly found, or used to be in some place. Le piace molto il teatro, ci sta di casa! (She likes a lot the theatre, she is very used to going there!).

15) mettiti nei suoi panni, it literally means put yourself in his/her clothes. It is used to tell someone “try to figure out what I/he/she am/is experiencing/feeling” about a situation. Lavora dodici ore al giorno e la sera è stanca, mettiti nei suoi panni! (She works twelve hours per day, and at evening she is tired, try to understand!). Non potevo farlo, mettiti nei miei panni! (I couldn’t do that, try to understand me!). Non ha soldi per aiutarti, mettiti nei suoi panni! (She doesn’t have the money to help you, try to understand!).

16) fare un chiodo, it means to incur debt. Ho fatto un chiodo per cambiare l’auto! (I incurred debt to change the car!).

17) cocciòla, it is a sign on the skin caused by a mosquito’s (or other insect) bite. C’è pieno di zanzare! Ho una cocciola sul braccio! (It’s full of mosquitos! I have a bite on the arm!).

18) frittellóso, it derives from frittèlla (pancake). It is used to indicate someone’s dirty clothes upon having a meal. Ha mangiato gli spaghetti, l’è tutto frittelloso! (He ate spaghetti, he is dirty!).

19) mangiare i’ fumo alle schiacchiate, it literally means to eat the steam from the schiacciate (flatbreads). It is used for a very smart person that is quick to understand things or situations. Ha già capito come fare, mangia i’ fumo alle schiacciate! (He has already understood how to do, he’s smart!).

20) avere la giornata storta, it literally means to have the crooked day. It’s used to indicate a person who is in a bad mood. Non ti si può dire nulla oggi, c’hai la giornata storta! (We can’t say anything to you today, you are in a bad mood!).

I selected another set of florentine typical expressions, some of this are somehow popular in other parts of Italy too. Be like a florentine! :-)

1) a UFO, it is debated, but it seems to be derived from the acronym A.U.F. (ad usum fabricae), an inscription written on materials intended to be used for the construction of the Duomo, which were tax free. Quanto costa questo? Gl’è a ufo! (How much is this? It’s free!).

2) alla carlona, it could be translated “big Carla’s way”. It is used to indicate something that is done unmannerly. Doveva sistemare la sua camera, ma ha fatto tutto alla carlona! (He had to put order in his room, but he made a mess!).

3) a i’ bacio, it literally means at the kiss. It is used to denote something that is done in a very proper way, or that fits perfectly. Mi sono comprato gli occhiali da sole nuovi, mi stanno a i’ bacio! (I bought my new sunglasses, they fit perfectly!).

4) i’ che ci va ci vòle, it means what it has to go, it’s needed. It is used to indicate something that is (strictly) required for a certain thing. Ovviamente va messo l’olio nella minestra, i’ che ci va ci vole! (Obviously you have to put the olive oil in the soup, it is needed!).

5) attaccare bottone, it means to sew a button. It is used to indicate a person who starts a very long conversation that is difficult to escape from. Ho incontrato il tuo amico, mi ha attaccato un bottone di mezz’ora! (I met your friend, he sewed me a half-hour button!). It is also used to indicate when a person tries to start a conversation. Guarda, sta cercando di attaccare bottone con lei! (Look, he’s trying to sew a button with her!).

6) aver bevuto l’acqua del Porcellino, it means to have drunk the water from the Porcellino, that is to be a genuine florentine.

7) avere il prosciutto/salame sugli occhi, it means to have the ham/salami on the eyes. It is used to indicate a person who doesn’t see the evidence of a situation/thing. Guarda lì, non lo vedi? Hai proprio il prosciutto sugli occhi! (Look there, don’t you see it? You really have the ham on your eyes!).

8) cercare co’ i’ lanternino, it means to look for with a little lantern. It is used to indicate a person who got into trouble doing all by himself/herself. Guarda cosa ha fatto! Se l’è andata a cercare co’ i’ lanternino! (Look what he did! He did all this mess by himself!).

9) che s’ha a ire?, it means should we have to go? È tardi, che s’ha a ire? (It’s late, should we go?).

10) comandare a bacchetta, it literally means to baton command. It is used for a person who commands with authority someone else. La su’ moglie lo comanda a bacchetta! (His wife commands him as she wants!).

11) contare come i’ due di briscola, it means to be equal to the two of Briscola, that is the lowest valued card. Non ha un ruolo in quella società, conta quanto i’ due di briscola! (He doesn’t play a role in that society, he is not in charge of anything!).

12) dare i’ benservito, it means to give the testimonial (literally, well served). It is used when someone is fired or excluded from something, or to indicate the end of an affair. Non sapeva fare il suo lavoro! Gli hanno dato il benservito! (He wasn’t able to do his work! They fired him!).

13) entrarci come i’ cavolo a merenda, it means to be in topic as a cabbage for snack. It is used to indicate something that is inappropriate for a certain thing/situation, or not related to it. È questa la direzione giusta per andare a Firenze? No, e c’entra come i’ cavolo a merenda! (Is this the right direction for Florence? No, it is as a cabbage for snack!).

14) essere l’ultima ròta del carro, to be the last wheel (ruota) of the wagon. It is used to indicate someone who is the less considered person in a group/team. Nessuno lo stima, è l’ultima ruota del carro! (Nobody holds him in esteem, he is the last wheel of the wagon!).

15) essere come i’ prezzemolo, it means to be like the parsley, that is to be widespread like it. It is used to indicate a (sometimes annoying) person that is omnipresent, and wants to say his/her opinion about anything. Rieccolo! Gl’è come i’ prezzemolo! (Here he is again! He is like the parsley!).

16) pe’ forza un’ si fa nemmeno l’aceto, it means neither the vinegar is forcibly produced. It is used to indicate that nothing needs to be done forcibly. Veramente dobbiamo andare lì? No, per forza un’ si fa nemmeno l’aceto! (Really do we have to go there? No, neither the vinegar is made forcibly!).

17) anno, it means year. It’s used, mainly by nonni, to indicate the last year. Anno c’è stata una gran raccolta di olive! (Last year there was a great olive harvesting!). Anno di là (year beyond that) means the year before last year.

18) l’hai voluta la bicicletta? O pedala! It means did you want the bike? Pedal it! It is used for someone who made a choice and now must take responsibility for what he/she did, especially if things are getting worse.

19) fare i’ bastian contrario, it means to be a contrarian. Sei sempre il solito bastian contrario! (You are always the same contrarian!).

20) tu m’hai bell’e divertito, it literally means you already enjoyed me. It is used to indicate someone who is annoying/getting you tired. Tu m’hai bell’e divertito! Vàttene! (You’re annoying me! Begone!).

Yeah! I have here another series of typical florentine expressions. ;-)

1) sciantillì, it means rubber galoshes. In Italy calosce is more common, but it’s used in Florence too.

2) mettersi a cécce, it means to sit down. Méttiti a cecce, per favore! (Sit down, please!). It is used mostly when talking to kids.

3) non reggere nemmeno il semolino, it literally means to not hold neither the semolina. It indicates a person who is not able to keep a secret. Gl’è andato a dire tutto a loro, ‘un regge neanche i’ semolino! (He shared all with them, he is unreliable!).

4) ‘un, it’s the florentine adverb not. It derives from non->nun->‘un (apheresis of nun). Double the n before to be or to have. ‘Unn’è vero! (It’s not true!). ‘Un lo so! (I don’t know!). ‘Un l’ho visto! (I didn’t see it). ‘Unn’ho ancora fatto una foto! (I have not taken a picture yet!).

5) preciso, it literally means precise, but it is sometimes used in the sense of exactly. E quindi sei tornato a casa? Preciso! (And then did you go back home? Exactly!).

6) tòni, it means tracksuit. The origin of this word is debated. Some lexicographers think that it originates from the english Anthony, a name used for clowns, and indirectly for their suit. Anyway, this is very florentine: try to use it a few miles outside Florence, and you probably won’t be understood. Ho comprato un toni nuovo! (I bought a new tracksuit!).

7) diladdàrno/diquaddàrno, they are used to indicate the Arno‘s riversides. Diladdarno (di là dall’Arno) means beyond the Arno (i.e., the Oltrarno), invariably indicating what is on the left side of the river Arno, whatever it is your position with respect to it. ;-) Diquaddarno means on this side of the Arno, which is on the right riverside.

8) c’è, it means “there is” (ci è). It is singular, but sometimes it’s used where the plural (third person) is required (ci sono, there are). It’s very characteristic. C’è quelli dei mobili! (Here there are those for the furniture!).

9) ATAF, Florentines love to joke about ATAF (Azienda Trasporti dell’Area Fiorentina), which is the public transportation city company. So the acronym ATAF became Aspettare Tanto Alla Fermata (to wait a lot at the bus station). :-)

10) levàssi la sete co’ i’ prosciùtto, it means to quench your thirst with the ham. It is used in an ironically sense, to indicate a person who creates more problems when trying to solve a problem. Ti sei levato la sete co’ i prosciutto! (You quenched your thirst with the ham!).

11) càcio, it means cheese. Ci sta come i’ cacio sui maccheroni (it pairs like the cheese on maccheroni), it’s used to indicate something that pairs perfectly with something else.

12) i’ che, it’s another jolly expression (il che) that means what. I’ che t’ha’ fatto? (What did you do?). I’ che t’ha’ comprato? (What did you buy?). I’ che si fa? (What do we do?).

13) cingómma, it derives from the english chewing gum. Ce l’hai una cingomma? (Do you have a chewing gum?).

14) destàrsi, it means to wake up. It is a variant of svegliarsi. Stamani mi son destato presto! (I woke up early today!).

15) gànzo, it means cool. It’s also used to indicate a lover. Ha brillantemente risolto il problema, che ganzo! (He brightly solved the problem, he’s great!). Sta tradendo il marito, c’ha il ganzo! (She is unfaithful to her husband, she has a lover!). The female version is ganza.

16) gòrfe, it is used to indicate the golf, but also a sweater. Ti piace quel gòrfe? (Do you like that sweater?).

17) tugùrio, it means hovel. It denotes a sleazy, poky, dark place. Sono stato in quel ristorante, gl’è un tugurio! (I was in that restaurant, it is sleazy!).

18) impelagàrsi, it derives from pelago (sea), so that in italian it’s common to say si è messo in un mare di guai (literally he got into a sea [a lot] of troubles). Then, in a figurative sense, it means to get into trouble. Perché ti sei impelagato così? (Why did you get into trouble this way?).

19) scoprire l’acqua càlda, it means to discover the hot water. It is used to indicate someone who makes or says something obvious. Dai, t’hai scoperto l’acqua carda! (Come on, this is obvious!). Carda is a variant of calda (hot).

20) Firènze, this is the most important. ;-) Actually, using the IPA notation it is pronounced [fiˈrεnʦe] (i.e., the “z” is a voiceless alveolar sibilant affricate. In italian it is known as zeta sórda). Instead, the wrong pronounce is [fiˈrεnʣe] (i.e., the “z” is a voiced alveolar affricate. In italian it is known as zeta sonòra).

Ready for another set of florentine typical words and expressions? Here we go!

1) Ponte Santa Trinita, this could be confusing, since in Florence (and in the rest of Italy) trinity is trinità, with the accent on the last syllable.
But there is an exception: in Florence there is an ancient tradition to pronounce all the toponyms (and only them) that contain the word trinita with the accent on the third-to-last (i.e., antepenultimate) syllable. Technically, this is called a parola sdrùcciola (proparoxytone). So it is Ponte Santa Trìnita (not Ponte Santa Trinità), Piazza Santa Trìnita, Chiesa di Santa Trìnita (more precisely Basilica di Santa Trìnita). The reason is that trinita derives from the nominative case of the latin word: trìnitas.

2) bell’e, (the extended version is bello e [or bella e], never used though). Indeed this could be called the jolly florentine expression. It could be translated as “fine and” (or nice and, good and). It is used in the sense of “already”. I call it the jolly expression because you can practically use it everywhere, to denote yourself as a florentine. ;-) Some examples now. Hai visto questo libro? Sì, l’ho bell’e letto! (Did you see this book? Yes, I already read it). Vuoi un caffè? No grazie, l’ho bell’e bevuto! (Do you want a coffee? No thanks, I already had it!). Ricordati di pulire la stanza! L’ho bell’e fatto! (Remember to clean the room! I already did it!). So, it is up to your fantasy to use that. :-)

3) spèngere, it means to turn off. In Tuscany (not only in Florence) this is the most common variant, while the rest of Italy uses spegnere instead. The word is derived from the latin expingere, so that is more coherent for us to use spengere (and not spegnere). :-) Spengi la luce! (Turn off the light). Spengi il tuo cellulare! (Turn off your mobile phone!). Spengi la radio! (Turn off the radio!).

4) macellàro, it is a variant of macellaio (butcher).

5) con le mani in mano, it literally means with the hands in the hand. It is used to indicate a person who goes to a party, lunch, dinner or event in general, without bringing a present or something. È venuto alla festa con le mani in mano, vergogna! (he came to the party without a present, shame on him!).

6) smariméttere, it means to put hand on. It is used to indicate the action of opening (or starting) for the first time something, generally a food. Ho smarimesso il prosciutto, fantastico! (I started the ham, fantastic!). Ho smarimesso il barattolo (I started the jar). Ho smarimesso il formaggio (I started the cheese).

7) marmàto, it literally means “[made] of marble”. Indeed it is used to indicate something very cold (since the marble is cold). È troppo freddo, le tue mani sono marmate! (It’s too cold, your hands are very cold!). Alternatively, le tue mani sono ghiacce marmate! (Your hands are ice cold!). Ghiacce derives from ghiaccio (ice). Note also the ancient florentine variant of ghiaccio (in the sense of cold), which is diaccio.

8) fare a miccìno, it derives from the latin mica (crumb). It means to save, economize. Bisogna fare a miccino con il pane, altrimenti non ci basta oggi! (We have to save with bread, otherwise it’s not enough today!).

9) mòrvido, this is an ancient florentine variant of morbido (tender). Senti questa bistecca, l’è morvida come i’ burro! (Taste this steak, it’s tender like the butter!).

10) andare a Roma pe’ i’ Mugello, it literally means to go to Rome through Mugello. Since Rome is south of Florence, and Mugello is north, it means to take a longer way than necessary to go somewhere. Ha sbagliato strada, gl’è andato a’ Roma pe’ i’ Mugello! (He took the wrong direction [literally, street], he took a longer way!).

11) nìni, it means kid. It is used (sometimes jokingly) to call a person. Nini, non farmi perdere la pazienza! (Mate, don’t make me lose my patience!). Use this only with your friends. ;-) A common variant is nànni, diminutive of Giovanni (John).

12) dare le paste, it literally means to give the paste (plural of pasta). It means to win a race, or in general a sport competition with a huge margin on the others. Ha vinto la corsa, gli ha dato le paste! (He won the race, a big triumph!).

13) péna pòco, it is a synonym of spìcciati, sbrigati (hurry up). It could be translated as labor in a short time. È tardi, pena poco! (It’s late, hurry up!).

14) sìe, it is an emphatic way to say sì (yes). It is used in the sense of “oh please, come on”, with respect to an unexpected situation or to express your disagreement about something. Ehi, posso risolvere qualunque cubo di Rubick in 10 secondi! Sìeee, non ci credo! (Hey, I can solve whatever Rubik’s Cube in 10 seconds! Come on, I don’t trust you!).

15) pottóne, it means vain, conceited person. It is used to indicate a person who dresses or behaves vainly. Guarda che orologio d’oro ha, l’è un pottone! (Look the gold watch he has, he is a vain man!).

16) pùnto, not to be confused with the standard meaning dot or point, because in some contexts it’s used with the meaning of any, anything, at all. Non ho punti soldi! (I have no money at all!). Non dubito punto che hai ragione. (I don’t doubt at all that you are right).

17) fare tanto puzzo per nulla, it means to make too much stink without a reason (literally, for nothing). It is used to indicate a person who had an exaggerated reaction (complaining) with respect to a situation or thing. Ha fatto tanto puzzo per nulla, non ce n’era bisogno! (He complained too much, there was no need!).

18) ramerìno, it is a variant of rosmarino (rosemary).

19) sembrare una rificolóna, it is said of a woman who dresses heavily, in a showy way. It derives from the Festa della Rificolona, celebrated every year in Florence on 7 September, eve of Mary’s nativity. On this occasion, people and kids have a procession to Piazza Santissima Annunziata, each of them bringing a paper-made colored lantern called rificolona. Indeed a funny rhyme recited by kids during the event is ona ona ona/ma che bella rificolona/la mia l’è co’ fiocchi/la tua l’è co’ pidocchi (ona ona ona what a nice rificolona/mine has bows/yours has head lice).

20) schiccheràre, it means to drink. It is used to jokingly indicate a person who loves to drink, to get drunk. Guarda come schìcchera! (Look how he drinks!).

Ok, here we are for a new series of florentine typical expressions. Just to impress your italian audience. ;-)

1) diàmine, it means certainly, surely. Vi siete ricordati di prenotare per cena? Diamine! (Did you remember to make a dinner reservation? Surely!).

2) diànzi, it means very recently. Indeed it’s used to indicate an event that occurred a few minutes ago. Dianzi sono stato al supermercato ma è ancora chiuso. Riproverò più tardi (a few minutes ago I have gone to the supermarket but it is still closed. I’ll try later).

3) fare le faccende, it means to do household chores. Stai facendo le faccende? Sì, sto pulendo la sala da pranzo ora (are you doing household chores? Yes, I am cleaning the dining room now).

4) fare fórca, literally to make fork. It means to cut class (school). Note that in other italian regions they use totally different expressions, this is very typically florentine and couldn’t be understood outside Tuscany. Oggi fanno forca perché non hanno fatto i compiti di matematica! (Today they cut class because they didn’t math homework!).

5) essere di fòri [fòri = fuori, out], it literally means to be (= extending) outwards like a terrace. It is used to jokingly indicate a crazy person that is out of mind. È completamente briaco! L’è di fori come un terrazzo! (He is completely drunk! He is outwards like a terrace!).

6) dare di fòri, similar to point #5, but less used.

7) buttarla di fòri, literally to throw it out. It means to make a mistake. L’hai buttata di fori, oggi è mercoledì, il negozio è chiuso! You made a mistake, today is wednesday, the store is closed!

8) garbare, it means to like. It is used for foods, but also for things in general. Mi garba questa bistecca! Mi garba quel computer! I like this steak! I like that computer! A common variant is mi garba di molto that means I like it very much. Another nice variant is questa la mi garba (I like this one) or codesta la mi garba (I like that one), used to indicate surprise or disagreement, in an ironic sense, for a situation. Questa la mi garba! Non abbiamo corrente, ci sono dei lavori in corso. (I like this! We have no electricity, there are works in progress). Corrente is an abbreviation for corrente elettrica (electric current). The past participle of the verb is garbato (or garbata for females). It is used to generically indicate the bad disposition of a person, for example someone who is miser, not friendly, not ready to help his/her friends. Non abbiamo la macchina per andare al mare, pensi che ci potrebbe accompagnare lei? Stai scherzando? L’è garbata! (We don’t have the car to go to the beach [literally, to the sea], do you think that she could give us a lift? Are you joking! She is miser [literally, liked]!). Variant: garbata lei!

9) essere gigliato, it is used to indicate a very stupid or negligent person, someone who made a very big naive mistake, or generally who causes damage (often without thinking or not carefully pondering things). Guarda come è sporca la tua stanza! Sei sporco, proprio gigliato! (Look how dirty is your room! You are dirty, proper certified!). It derives from giglio (the lily symbol of Florence), perhaps in the sense of a stamp or certification assigned to the negative quality you are referring to.

10) gingillàrsi (similar to stare a candire), it means to dawdle, to waste time (or to be late), while doing unuseful things (or nothing), to spend time idly. It derives from gingillo, a thing or toy with no evident utility. Non c’è tempo per gingillarsi, aiutami! (There’s no time to dawdle, help me!).

11) fare una cosa di giorno, it literally means to make a day-thing. It means to hurry up. Ti aspetto qui, fai una cosa di giorno! (I wait you here, hurry up!).

12) spicciàrsi, it is a synonym of sbrigarsi, affrettarsi (to hurry up). Sei in ritardo, spìcciati! (You are late, hurry up!).

13) girellóne, it derives from giro (tour). It is used to indicate a dynamic person who loves to travel and to see every place. È stato a Parigi il mese scorso, è un girellone! (He was in Paris last month, he is a travelaholic!).

14) fare un giro pèsca, it means to make a trip longer than necessary to go somewhere (or to return to the starting point). It can be used in a figurative sense, to indicate an uselessly reasoning that leads to the starting point. Ha fatto un giro pesca, 10 km più del necessario! (He did a longer trip, 10 km more than necessary!).

15) imbrodolàrsi, it means to dirty yourself, especially while cooking or eating. Ho mangiato i maccheroni al pomodoro e mi sono imbrodolato la maglia! (I ate the maccheroni al pomodoro and I dirtied my shirt!).

16) impazzàre, it is a variant of impazzire, to get crazy. It is often used in a joking sense. O che sei impazzato? O, did you become crazy? It is also used to indicate a strong passion for something. Gl’impazza pe’ i’ calcio! (he is crazy for the soccer!). It is also used to indicate a failure in doing the mayonnaise, if you add too much oil when mixing the eggs (oil must be added gradually, few at a time) you lose the correct glue in the compound, and you risk to not be able to recover it. Ha fatto impazzare la maionese! (Literally, he made crazy the mayonnaise!). La maionese è impazzata! (The mayonnaise got crazy!).

17) in dove, it literally means “in where”, “in” is used to strengthen the adverb. Sono stato a cena al ristorante ieri. In dove? (I had dinner at the restaurant yesterday. Where?). It is also abbreviated in indóe. Indoe tu se’ stato? (Where have you been?).

18) introgolàrsi, it is a synonym of imbrodolarsi. Trogolone is used to indicate a person who is (or make) dirty when cooking or eating. Guarda com’è sporca la tavola! L’è un trogolone! (Look how dirty is the table, he is dirty!).

19) leticàre, it is a variant of litigare (to quarrel). Fermateli, stanno leticando! (stop them, they are quarreling!). A leticàta is a quarrel. Ho fatto una leticata con loro (I had a quarrel with them).

20) lòia, it means dirt. Guarda che loia sul pavimento! (Look how much dirt on the floor!).