This section is dedicated to common slang words used by italian americans in daily life. The word is in bold and it’s definition is given, followed by the correct italian word in parentheses. It is evident that many of these words were taken from italian words and transformed or “americanized” to the italian american culture. Post a comment below if you have other words to add to the list!
Agita – heartburn/indigestion (aciditá)
Braggiol – meat and sauce (bracciole)
Calamad – fried squid (calamari)
Fagazi – fake
Gabbadost – thick headed (capa tosta)
Gabbagul – type of meat (capicola)
Capish – understand? (capisce)
Ganol – cannoli
Galvon/gavone – gluttonous eater (cafone)
Gumad – mistress (cumare)
Manigott – Italian pasta (manicotti)
Muzzarell – mozzarella
Napoleedan – From Naples (Napolitano)
Pasta vasul – Italian soup (pasta fagioli)
Salud – to be in good health (salute)
Schifozz – disgusting (schifosa)
Scungill – cooked snail (sconciglio)
Spasciad – not talking to someone (spacciato)
Suprasad – Italian salami (soppressata)
Dictionary Tour: “Salud, Chindon”
11/13/13
“Salud, chindon,” a phrase heard every Sunday as I stare at a sauce-laden and garlic-seasoned feast upon me. I can’t remember the first time I heard this exact phrase, but I bet you money that if you eat dinner at my Grandmother’s house you would be bound to hear it. The phrase “salud, chindon” is italian american slang roughly meaning “health for a hundred years.” The much butchered term “salud” in italian american speak originates from the word “salute” in italian, meaning health or well being. Chindon, also heavily accented over the many generations of augmented bilingualism, was translated to “english” from the original italian phrase cent’anno, or cento anno, meaning one hundred years. Technically speaking, then, this phrase makes some sense if we were to somehow hear these root italian words behind the slobbery accented mess which is most italian american slang. Yet this phrase means more to italian american’s than “health for a hundred years.” When we all lift our glasses (alright lets not lie here, our wine glasses) at the table before the meal begins, we call out this phrase together in a single unified moment of thanks and praise. Call it the italian american version of the Christians ‘saying grace’ if you will, but without this phrase before any big meal it just wouldn’t be complete. Saying this to everyone at the table signifies that you are here to come together and share not only a meal (which, when are Italians not doing that?), but also you are sharing a feeling of gratitude and love for those around you. This phrase signifies you wish everyone there—weather it be your mom, aunt, annoying second cousin, or your uncles newest weird girlfriend with the thick Brooklyn accent—a long good life. For italian american’s, its all about reigning in the crazy, and I think in this moment there is that one “ahhhhhh” sensation where everyone can say, really, we are all just here to eat, laugh, enjoy each other, and be merry. This phrase epitomizes that feeling, and brings everyone together as one at the most important place—which of course is the robustly overstuffed dinner table.
Italian American Culture Blog 