There are times when we would all like to insult someone but usually it's better if we don't. There's nothing to stop us thinking about the insult, though, so here are a few Sicilian sayings for those times when, to quote a British proverb, "There's nought so queer as folk". For fun, why not see if you can match the sayings 1 - 6 with their meanings a - f ? You'll find the answers at the end of the post.
1. A chiddu ci l'agghiu supra ô stomaco!
2. Chiddu faĉia càlari 'u latti sulu a sintillu! [This is said of a boring person.]
3. Beddu spicciu ri miènnula amara!
4. Siri còmu l'uòvu: ciù assài còci cciù ddùru addivènta.
5. Siri farsu comu 'n sordu catanisi
6. Chi caristi ra naca?
a. That one makes the milk dry up as soon as you hear him! [This is said of a boring person.]
b. Have you fallen out of your arse? [Meaning: "Have you gone completely mad?"]
c. I've got him on top of my stomach! [This is said of someone you really can't stand.]
d. To be like an egg: the more it's cooked, the harder it gets [said of someone who gets stupider and stupider.]
e. You're like a sliver of bitter almond! [This is said of a real rotter.]
f. To be as false as a banknote from Catania [with apologies to any
Catanesi reading this!]
On the whole, perhaps we should remember:
" 'A lincua nunn'havi l'uòssu e rùmpu l'uòssa" - "The tongue has no bones but can break bones".
For quiz answers, please highlight the space below:
1c, 2a, 3e, 4d, 5f, 6b.
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