The beauty of language lies not only in its formal structure but also in the colloquial phrases and slang that give it color, context and cultural relevance. This unique blend of words and expressions creates a close sense of community—a linguistic homeland, if you will—that Italian Americans know all too well.
Much Italian-American slang is derived from Italian dialects introduced to the United States by immigrants. These words undergo an American transformation over time, and it’s truly fascinating to observe the interplay between the two languages as they foster a sense of community and identity.
The Origins of Italian-American Slang
Italian-American slang derives from a rich and complex history of immigration and cultural assimilation, dating back to the 19th and 20th centuries. During those years, many Italians, especially from the South, crossed the Atlantic in search of better opportunities and a chance to live the American dream.
When they set foot on American soil, they continue to speak their native language and regional dialects as if they were at home in the comfort of their own home, but at the same time they must adapt and integrate into English-speaking society. As a result, words were coined, borrowed, and adapted, creating a unique blend of languages.
Today, Italian-Americans still preserve this mixture, chatting in this special blend within families and close-knit communities. So, let’s look at some examples of the most popular Italian-American slang.
Common Italian-American slang in food and cooking
You can’t really talk about Italian-American slang without starting with the food, right? Food is the heart and soul of Italian-American culture and an important means by which Italian traditions and language can be sustained and perpetuated in the United States.
Bisgot
[beesh-GAWT]
The Italian equivalent is cookie
The perfect companion for coffee, Bisgot It is a crunchy biscuit.
Prozhoot/Prozhoot
[BRAAJH-oot]/[PRAAJH-oot]
The Italian equivalent is prosciutto
Thin slices of ham are perfect for charcuterie boards or sandwiches.
banner
[caal-uh-MAAD]
The Italian equivalent is squid.
These are fried calamari, a staple of Italian coastal cuisine.
Fajur
[Fah-JOOL]
from Italian beans.
These are the humble beans that add flavor and nutrition to many rustic Italian dishes.
gabagul
[gaa-baa-GOOL]
The Italian equivalent is capocolo.
Traditional cold cuts from southern Italy that stand out among all Italian delicatessens.
center’
[gaa-NOAWL]
The Italian equivalent is Fried cheese roll.
A decadent Sicilian pastry filled with sweet ricotta cheese and decorated with chocolate chips or candied fruits.
Manigault
[maa-NEE-gauwt]
from Italian sleeve.
Large tubes of pasta filled with cheese and sauce are the epitome of Italian comfort food!
Muzarer/Muzander
[mootz-aa-DELL]
The Italian equivalent is cheese
Whether melted on pizza or enjoyed fresh with tomatoes and basil, Muzarel’ The epitome of Italian style!
Rigot
[ree-GAUWT]
The Italian equivalent is curd.
Farmhouse-style ricotta cheese elevates savory dishes and desserts.
supersad
[Soo-per-sahd]
The Italian equivalent is suppress.
A delicious cured meat with a distinctive flat shape.
Italian-American slang for talking about people
Here are some Italian-American slang terms and expressions used to talk about individuals and their traits and characteristics.
Aduzipah/Aduzipaz
[aa-DOO-zee-PAACH]/[aa-DOO-zee-PAATS]
The Italian equivalent is but you are angry.
An interjection that essentially means “you’re crazy.”
bhikkhurida/bhikkhurida
[BEECH-oo-REE-doo] / [BEECH-oo-REE-daa]
The Italian equivalent is Picchirido/ Picchirida
This is a cute term used for children and means “my little boy”/”my little girl”.
Abadost
[Kab-uh-dost]
The Italian equivalent is hat.
Translated as “stubborn,” it points to someone’s persistent or stubborn nature.
cousin
[Koo-jeen]
The Italian equivalent is cousin.
Although cousin Literally meaning “cousin” in Italian, the term is often used to refer to Italian-Americans in Italian-American slang.
a shame
[dees-graats-ee-AAT]
The Italian equivalent is Unfortunately.
This term is used to indicate that someone has been humiliated or fallen out of favor, usually due to their own actions.
ugly face
[FA-chuh-broot]
The Italian equivalent is ugly face.
The word “facciabrutt” literally means “ugly face” and is a colloquial expression in the Italian-American community referring to an unpleasant person.
brother
[FRAA-too]
from Italian brother.
Literally means “brother” brother Emphasis on close ties, which can refer to biological brothers and sisters and close friends.
locker
[gaa-VOWN]
The Italian equivalent is rude.
locker Used with the meaning of gluttony, referring to a person who eats too much.
icicle
[gyaa-kyaa-ROAN]
The Italian equivalent is Chatty.
This word refers to someone who talks too much or cannot keep secrets, essentially a loudmouth or a big mouth.
jidrull
[jih-DROOL]
The Italian equivalent is citrullo.
A derogatory term meaning a stupid person or a stupid person.
Gomba
[goom-BAH]
The Italian equivalent is Compare.
Close friends, usually used to refer to people who are more like family than simple friends.
dress up
[ˈguːmæd]
The Italian equivalent is mistress.
Italian words mistress Traditionally meaning “godmother,” but in Italian-American slang the term is used more loosely to refer to a female friend.
guacaleno
[gwaa-kaa-ROO-no]
The Italian equivalent is someone.
The term means “someone” and is used to identify an unspecified person.
Idu
[EE-doo]
Derived from Sicilian dialect he
The term means “other” in English and is often used in dialectical Italian and Italian-American communities.
Ada
[EE-daa]
Derived from Sicilian dialect she
Similar to “Idu”, the word means “she” in English
Mamluk
[maa-maa-LOUK]
The Italian equivalent is mammal.
A person who behaves foolishly or stupidly.
decorate’
[pai-ZAAN]
The Italian equivalent is villagers.
In Italian, villagers Refers to people from the same village or country. In Italian-American slang, this is a friendly way of referring to another Italian.
check carefully
[SKOO-STOO-MAHD]
The Italian equivalent is rude.
Similar to “Gidrul”, this is another term for a stupid or foolish person.
dizziness
[stoo-NAAD]
from Italian out of tune.
This is used to describe someone as an idiot or moron.
Various Italian-American slang
Now let’s explore some common Italian-American slang and expressions that serve multiple functions in everyday language.
amonini
[aa-moe-NEE-nee]
Derived from Sicilian dialect He said
When you say Ammonini, you are saying that you are ready to go (“Let’s go!”).
Ashpet
[Ahsh-pet]
The Italian equivalent is wait.
It means “wait” and is used to tell someone to wait or pause.
Anda
[aa-WOON-duh]
The Italian equivalent is Pigeon.
Literally meaning “where?” or “where is it?”, it is slang for asking for the location of something or someone.
Business
[Bee-see-nees-seh]
from english Business.
This term has the same general function as the standard term “business” – it just adds an interesting twist in pronunciation.
kapesh
[kuh-peesh]
The Italian equivalent is you understand.
This is a very famous Italian-American slang term used to ask someone if they understand something (“Do you know what I mean?”).
Gisto
[GEE-stoo]
The Italian equivalent is this.
It means “this” and refers to a specific thing.
Kay Sa Dickey?
[keh see dee-chay]
The Italian equivalent is What are you saying?
A spoken way of asking someone “What’s up?”
bad head
[Mah-lah Teh-stah]
The Italian equivalent is Headache.
The term translates as “headache” and is used to describe physical discomfort or metaphorically refer to a problematic condition.
Malone’
[maa-ROAN]
The Italian equivalent is Madonna.
Referring to the Virgin Mary, this is a popular exclamation used to express surprise, disbelief, or dismay, equivalent to saying “Oh, my God” or “Damn it.”
Mushad
[moo-SHYADD]
The Italian equivalent is limp.
This word refers to something that is weak, loose, or lacking in solidity. In some Italian-American dialects, it is also used to describe someone who is weak or lacks backbone.
Naboledan
[Nah-bo-lee-dahn]
The Italian equivalent is Naples.
It refers to people from Naples or the dialect and culture of the region.
Obaz/Paz
[oo-BAATZ]
The Italian equivalent is crazy.
Obats It is Italian-American slang meaning “crazy”.
oriopo
[Oh-ree-OP-po]
from english hurry up.
This word imitates the sound of “hurry up” and means self-explanatory to urge someone to move faster (hurry up! in Italian).
Shangard
[SH-ON-GOD]
The Italian equivalent is lame
It is used to describe someone or something that is a mess.
healthy’
[zaa-LOOD]
The Italian equivalent is salute
Literally means “health”, healthy’ Often used as a toast before drinking and to wish someone good health.
Shkiv
[shkeef]
The Italian equivalent is disgust
This describes something that is repulsive and literally means “disgusting” or “disgusting.”
spustad
[spoo-STAAD]
The Italian equivalent is move away
Meaning “to move over” or “to move oneself”, this is often used to tell someone to make space.
statist
[STA-ta-ZEET]
The Italian equivalent is shut up
Statazit means “shut up” and is used to tell someone to stop talking.
Flour Island Room
[oon-AA-daa-O-daa]
The Italian equivalent is next time
This expression means that you will do something “another time.”
Vascinga mascina / vachuma clina
[Vah-seen-gah Mah-shee-nah] [Vah-kyoo-mah Klee-nah]
from english washing machine / Vacuum cleaner
Here are two fun Italian-American slang terms related to housework: The first one refers to washing machine (known as washing machine Italian), while the second one refers to Vacuum cleaner (or vacuum in Italian).
Valentina Nicastro He is a travel writer who loves his motherland, Italy. After traveling around the world, she realized there was more to explore closer to home and decided to put her passport aside for the time being. When she’s not immersed in documenting Italy, you’ll find her donning her hat as a communications consultant, weaving words as a content writer and bridging language gaps as a translator.
