Recently when on Skype talking with grandparents, the kids were describing how testing is conducted in school and what the difference is between a "verifica" (written test) and "interrogazione" (oral test). Everyone is always fascinated how the interrogation process is a part of the grading system. The students need to always be prepared as you never know when you will be called on to be interrogated orally on a subject. For a semester grading period you may only get one or two interrogations and if you bomb out but do well on the written exams the average is still taken for your final grade. Papa's response was "Wow, you really need to be on your toes!" Emma promptly responded with "no, they don't make you stand."
We got a good laugh out of her response! We do our best to teach English phrases but as a third culture kid they will always be somewhat handicapped in this department because they don't live in an English speaking culture. Just to make things fair, Emma wanted to share some Italian idioms with you!
Hello, this is me, Emma! I wanted all of you guys to have a good laugh at these school sayings (also in the local Italian world). NONE of these expressions contain words of the vulgar language. Enjoy!
Hai il prosciutto negli occhi!
TRANSLATION: You have ham in your eyes!
MEANING: You are so in love with someone that you cannot see the world around you!
Sei un salame!
TRANSLATION: You’re a salami!
MEANING: You are a ding-dong!
Che cavolo!
TRANSLATION: What a cabbage!
MEANING: Good grief!/What the heck!
Che barba!
TRANSLATION: What a beard!
MEANING: This is so boring!
Mi stai rompendo le scatole!/ Sei un rompiscatole!
TRANSLATION: You are breaking my boxes!/ You are a box-breaker!
MEANING: You are being annoying! I've had it up to here!/ You are annoying!
Che pizza!
TRANSLATION: What a pizza!
MEANING: I’m tired of it!
Bella zio!
TRANSLATION: Beautiful uncle!
MEANING: Great job!
Santa Polenta!
TRANSLATION: Holy Polenta!
MEANING: Holy cow!
Porca miseria!
TRANSLATION: Miserable pork!
MEANING: What the heck! No way! expression of surprise
In
bocca al lupo!
TRANSLATION: Into the mouth of a
wolf!
MEANING: Good luck!
You don’t reply with “thank you”
but rather “Crepi il lupo!” (May the wolf croak!)
