Today, we're going to look at an Italian idiom that conveniently has a direct equivalent in English, and if you can recall the words that make up the idiom, remembering it is super easy!
break the ice
break the ice
break the iceor break the ice In Italian, the act of doing or saying something to relieve tension and start a conversation, especially in an initially awkward situation (for example, due to a previous argument) or when strangers get together .
A great way to break the ice is to ask open-ended questions.
A great way to break the ice is to ask open-ended questions.
The origins of this expression can be traced to the practice of boatmen breaking the ice on frozen waterways to begin sailing. One sailor will lead the way through the ice, allowing others to follow, emphasizing the metaphorical significance of overcoming the initial obstacle.This explanation is also provided by Erasmus of Rotterdam's collection of Latin expressions Millennium Mottohas been widely accepted in idiom dictionaries. (source: Trecani)
This idiom first appeared in Italy at the end of the 14th century, and originally meant “to begin a tune,” as shown in a poem by Francesco di Vannozzo. Later, in 1471, the Florentine Alessandra Macinghi Strozzi adopted the modern meaning in a letter. Interestingly, this expression did not reach England until the mid-1500s, and reached France in the early 1600s. (source: Trecani)
Heather Broster is a graduate with honors in linguistics from the University of Western Ontario. She is an aspiring polyglot, fluent in English and Italian, as well as varying degrees of fluency in Japanese, Welsh and French. Originally from Toronto, Heather has lived in several countries, notably Italy for six years. Her main research areas are language acquisition, education and bilingual teaching.
