Word of the Day

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 …

In Italy, the word vendemmia (vehn-dehm-mee-ah) is an experience more than it is a word! Rooted in the Latin word vīndēmia, it refers to the grape harvest, a quintessential event that marks the Italian fall season. The word itself is a blend of vinum, …

Today’s word, nemmeno (nehm-mai-noh), is a versatile little word. This adverb and conjunction is employed in various contexts and it can have a variety of meanings, depending on the context.  Tracing the origins of nemmeno we find that it is a univerbation of “né …

Our special word, on this beautiful mid-October fall day, is inoltre(ee-nohl-trai). Inoltre is an adverb that means “besides,” “furthermore,” or “in addition,” and it derives from the Latin words in ultra, which means “beyond.” According to sources, inoltre has been …

The word qualunque (kwa-loon-kwai) has a rich and intriguing linguistic journey. It comes from the Latin qualiscumque, a combination of qualis (meaning “what kind of”) and cumque (meaning “whichever” or “any”), which is Italian gave qual(e) and the suffix -unque, a common method in our language for creating words that express …

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 …

Cartapesta (kar-tah peh-stah) means papier-mâché in English and, with coriandoli and maschera is the most quintessential of all Carnevale words. It comes from the union of carta (paper) and pesta (pounded), which reveals what it is: a concoction of paper …

The word accanto (ahk-kahn-toh) comes from the fusion of the Italian word canto and the prefix “a.” Canto in Italian can refer to singing, but is also an old-fashioned way to say  “corner,” or “side.” The prefix “a,” on the …

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 …

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 …