The Incident at Montebello (49 page)

 

mens sana in corpore sano
: (Latin) Translation: a healthy mind in a healthy body

 

Merda
: (slang) Shit!

 

niente
: nothing

 

nonna
: grandmother

 

nonno
: grandfather

 

Oca
: (slang) Damn!

 

OVRA
: Organization for the Vigilance and Repression of Anti-Fascists. Mussolini's feared secret police

 

padre
: priest

 

paesani
: (plural) peasants, farmers, countrymen

 

paesano
: (singular) a peasant, farmer

 

paradiso
: paradise

 

Pietà
: religious statue by Michelangelo of the grieving Virgin Mary holding her dead son, Jesus

 

politici:
(plural) political activists

 

politico
: (singular) a political activist

 

Puh
: interjection of dismissal or contempt

 

puttana:
(slang) whore

 

ragazzo
: young man

 

salumeria
: store specializing in cheese and dried meat

 

‘Scusi, signora
: Excuse me, ma'am.

 

Semper fi: (Latin)
shortened version of
semper fidelis
, the motto of the U.S. Marine Corps
.
Translation: always faithful.

 

signora
: title of respect for a married woman; ma'am or Mrs.

 

signor(e)
: title of respect for a man; mister or Mr.

 

signorina
: title of respect for an unmarried girl/woman; Miss

 

sirocco
: Mediterranean wind that blows in from the Sahara Desert

 

strega
: witch, wise old woman

 

tramontana
: northern wind

 

triskele
: powerful charm with three interconnected spirals, legs, or curved lines

 

Uffa
: interjection expressing annoyance

 

veloce
: quick

 

virilità:
virility

 

Y'hei sh'lama raba min sh'maya:
(Hebrew) Jewish prayer from the Mourner's Kaddish. Translation: May there be abundant peace from heaven.

 

Yit'gadal v'yit'kadash sh'mei raba:
(Hebrew) Jewish prayer from the Mourner's Kaddish. Translation: May His great name grow exalted and sanctified

 

zia:
aunt

 

zio:
uncle