The magic of any language lies in its idiomatic expressions, giving color, expression, and a cultural snapshot into the psyche of its speakers. This article dives deep into the wackiest, most colorful of Italian idioms and their English equivalents.
1. “In bocca al lupo!” (“In the wolf’s mouth!”)
One of the first, and funniest, expressions that non-native Italian speakers learn is the phrase “In bocca al lupo,” which directly translated means “In the wolf’s mouth!” Does this sound strange yet? Said to wish someone good luck, akin to the English phrase “break a leg,” its origin is shrouded in mystery but could be rooted in hunting traditions when, ironically, the more hazardous the situation, the better the anticipated results.
2. “Avere le braccine corte” (“To have short arms”)
This Italian idiom “Avere le braccine corte” directly translates as “To have short arms,” which humorously implies that a person is unwilling to pay for things. It’s comparable to the English idiom “tight-fisted” — a satire on how one’s arms could be too short to reach their wallets.
3. “Non tutte le ciambelle riescono col buco” (“Not all doughnuts come out with a hole”)
Ever had a day when nothing seems to go right? The Italians have a saying for that! “Non tutte le ciambelle riescono col buco,” which humorously means “Not all doughnuts come out with a hole.” It is akin to the English idiom “Not everything goes as planned.”
4. “Essere al verde” (“To be at the green”)
No, this idiom doesn’t refer to having a picnic on a lush grassy knoll. “Essere al verde” or “To be at the green,” interestingly, signifies being broke or out of money. It likely dates back from times when the bottom of one’s purse was green, thus seeing the ‘green’ meant you were out of coins.
5. “Non avere peli sulla lingua” (“To have no hair on your tongue”)
If an Italian tells you “Non avere peli sulla lingua,” they don’t mean that you need to shave your tongue! Instead, it is used to describe someone who speaks candidly or bluntly, similar to the English idiom “Doesn’t mince words.”
6. “Avere un chiodo fisso” (“To have a fixed nail”)
“Avere un chiodo fisso,” translated precisely as “To have a fixed nail,” depicts someone being obsessed with an idea or having something persistently occupying their mind, akin to the English version of having “a bee in one’s bonnet.”
7. “Ogni morte di papa” (“Every death of a pope”)
The idiomatic phrase “Ogni morte di papa,” which translates as “Every death of a pope,” implies that an event doesn’t happen very often. Funnily enough, popes usually hold their divinely ordained offices for life, so this phrase equates to saying, “Once in a blue moon.”
8. “Non c’e due senza tre” (“There’s not two without three”)
Belief in inevitable thirds finds an expression in the Italian phrase “Non c’è due senza tre.” It corresponds to the English saying, “Bad luck comes in threes,” suggesting that things, especially unfortunate circumstances, often happen in threes.
9. “Fare orecchie da mercante” (“To make merchant’s ears”)
“Fare orecchie da mercante,” directly translated as “To make merchant’s ears,” does not direct one to a handmade jewelry booth but encourages ignoring unwanted comments or criticism – similar to how a merchant might disregard baseless haggling.
10. “Acqua in bocca!” (“Water in your mouth!”)
If you’re told “Acqua in bocca!” don’t rush to take a sip of water; it’s an idiomatic expression that advises you to keep silent about what you’ve been told or asked. The English equivalent would be “Keep it under your hat.”
Exploring the richness of Italian idioms gives us a glimpse into their cultural nuances and historical origins. While they may seem strange when translated literally, they enrich the language, making it more vibrant and expressive. Whether wishing someone luck by placing them metaphorically in a wolf’s mouth or praising someone’s honesty by a hairless tongue, learn to embrace the wackiest idioms and enjoy the colorful tapestry of the Italian language.
