Staff

Today’s word, altrettanto (ahl-treht-tahn-toh), is a “univerbation,” a fancy term that means it is formed by two words: altro and tanto. This combination reflects the Latin expression alterum tantum, and it is similar to the French autant and the Venetian altretanto. These roots convey meanings like “other,” “more,” and …

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The Italian word dopotutto  (doh-poh-toot-toh) a compound of “dopo” (after) and “tutto” (all or everything), encapsulates the idea of summing up or concluding with consideration of all facts, akin to the English phrases “after all” or “in the end.” This term is …

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The Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8th holds a special place in Italy’s cultural and religious calendar because it marks the beginning of the Christmas season.  On this day, the Catholics celebrate the belief that the Virgin Mary …

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Is there anything as amazing as finding someone to share a dream with and make it a reality? Jean Rivaldi and Francesca Peretto managed to do just that when they came together to create Vero Viaggio, an Italian language and culture experience like no other.  Jean’s …

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Giovanni Battista Pirelli, a visionary young engineer, founded Pirelli in Milan in 1872, initially specializing in rubber and derivative processes, including the production of scuba diving rebreathers. As the 20th century progressed, the company astutely shifted its focus towards the …

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Today’s word is perfect for this time of the year! The term addobbo (ahd-dohb-boh, plural addobbi) primarily signifies “decoration” or “ornament,” as noted in various dictionaries and translations, and derives from the verb addobbare, which means “to decorate,” coupled with …

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The story of carbon copy paper‘s invention is deeply intertwined with the innovative work of Pellegrino Turri, an Italian inventor whose contributions in the early 19th century played a pivotal role in the development of this technology. In 1801, Turri created the …

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Bobbio is a charming small town located in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, within the province of Piacenza. Nestled in the valley of the Trebbia River, it is about 45 kilometers (28 miles) southwest of the provincial capital. The town …

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The Italian word botti (boht-tee, singular botto) carries an aura of mystery in its etymology. Its meaning, denoting a sharp blow or crack, leads us to consider its possible connection to another Italian word, botta, a term rooted in the …

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These days, fashion is all about the idea of “quiet luxury,” and perhaps no brand speaks its language better than Bottega Veneta. In 1966, Michele Taddei and Renzo Zengiaro established Bottega Veneta in Vicenza (Veneto), with a primary focus on …

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