Chit-Chat Over Coffee Swirls (4)

Come stai? Molto bene. Bon giorno. Ciao. Arrivederci. Every Italian from Italy knows these words and every Italian-American should. Here are some words and phrases that are a little Italian, a little American, and a little slang , that we hear throughout Little Italy neighborhood and East Harlem, New York..

Ciao_ when a person arrives or leaves.
Mama Mia_ anytime emotion is needed in any given situation.
Mannaggia _(may evil have him)
Oofah_ (a sigh when you are bored, exasperated or annoyed)
He uses a "moppeen " (moppina=from mop, towel) to wipe his hands in the cuchina.(Kitchen)
He or she gets "agita " (state of agitation that comes from an upset stomach) from the gravy. .
He will shkeevats meatballs unless they are homemade from the famiglia.

Always foonah(sink or dunk) your bread in the pot of gravy (sauce) or you will be considered a real coogootz (blockhead).

A crazy diavlo can give you the malokya (evil eye), but that red horn (contra malokya) will protect you if you use it right.

Don't forget to always say per favore and grazia and prego.(You're welcome)

If you are feeling mooshadda or stounad or mezzo-morto, always head to Nonna's and she will fix you up with a little homemade manicott', cavadell', or calamar ', or some ricotta cheesecake.

Mangia some zeppoles, canolis, torrone, struffoli, shfoolyadell', pignoli cookies, or a little nutella on pannetone. Delizioso! I think I will fix myself a sangweech of cabagol' with some proshoot and mozarell' or maybe just a hot slice of peetza .

So salud if you have any italian blood in you and you understood anything written here!

If you don't get any of this, then Fugheddaboudit! "CAPEESH?

To contact: miriammedina@earthlink.net