Home Italy Revisited Bookshelf Plays About Mary Melfi Contact Us
in
Folk Sayings on Aging
Italy - Pre 1969 or Around the World, Click here

Sicily, Italy
Date: Centuries-old
Notes: Italian Proverb or Folk Saying on Aging -- Old Women -- by Region -- Sicily
     
      o in Italian: (Dialect) "Tutti i fimmni l'hannu, cu' l'ha ruttu e cu' l'ha sanu.
      o in English: Help old women, whether or not they are in good health or bad health. Or, Help older women, whether they need it or not.
     
      Contributed by Maria Tozzi
Contributed by: Image courtesy of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #826853

View full size image

Sicily, Italy
Date: Centuries-old
Notes: Italian Proverb or Folk Saying on Aging by Region -- Sicily
     
      o in Italian: (Dialect) Quant' anni hai, e allura cecca i nun siri menza pampina.
      o in English: (Literally) When you have years, you try your best not to be half a leaf. (Meaning) When you're of a certain age, you try your best not to appear to be a half-wit.
     
      Contributed by Maria Tozzi
Contributed by: Image courtesy of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #1531260

View full size image

Sicily, Italy
Date: Centuries-old
Notes: Italian Proverb or Folk Saying on Old Age -- by Region -- Sicily
     
      o in Italian: (Dialect) 'Nprisenza ri vecchi, parra picca picca e senti assai.
      o in English: In the presence of old people, talk little, and listen carefully.
     
      Contributed by Maria Tozzi
     
Contributed by: Image courtesy of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #92135

View full size image

Sicily, Italy
Date: Centuries-old
Notes: Italian Proverb or Folk Saying on Old Age -- by Region -- Sicily
     
      o in Italian: (Dialect) Quannu u patri duno o figghio rire u patri e rire u fighhiu; quannu fighhiu duna o patri chiangi u patri e chiangi u fighiu.
      o in English: (Literally) When a father gives to his children both the children and the father laugh; when the children give to the father both the children and the father cry. (Meaning) It's normal and natural for a father to help out his children, but when the children are the ones who need to help out their father, everyone breaks down and cries.
     
Contributed by: Image courtesy of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #1112001

View full size image

Sicily, Italy
Date: Centuries-old
Notes: Italian Proverb or Folk Saying on Aging -- by Region -- Sicily
     
      o in Italian: (Dialect) Nuddu nasci che causi [pantaloni] 'ttaccati.
      o in English: (Literally) No one is born with his pants on. (Meaning) No one is born knowing it all. Or, everyone needs to learn the ropes.
     
      Contributed by Maria Tozzi
Contributed by: Image courtesy of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #81707073

View full size image

Tuscany, Italy
Date: Centuries-old
Notes: Italian Proverb or Folk Saying on Aging -- by Region -- Tuscany
     
      o in Italian: Chi vuoi vivere sano e lesto, mangi poco e ceni presto.
      o in English: (Literally) Who wants to live a healthy and swift life, eats little and has dinner right now. (Meaning) If you want to live long, eat what and when you wish. (Equivalent) Don't worry, be happy [and live to a ripe old age].
Contributed by: Image courtesy of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #474618

View full size image

Valle d'Aosta, Italy
Date: Centuries-old
Notes: Italian Proverb or Folk Saying on Aging -- by Region -- Valle d'Aosta
     
      o in Italian: Se vuoi vivere a lungo, prazo poco e cena ancora di meno.
      o in English: If you want to live long, have a light lunch and even lighter dinner.
     
Contributed by: Image courtesy of The Library of Congress #3b36142r

View full size image

Veneto, Italy
Date: Centuries-old
Notes: Folk Saying or Proverb on Aging -- by Region -- Veneto
     
      o in Italian: (Dialect) Le tose lo desidera, le maridae lo prova, le vedove lo recorda.
      o in English: The girl desires it [marriage], the wife tries it out, and the widow remembers it.
Contributed by: Image courtesy of The New York Public Library, Digital Gallery #835436

View full size image

Veneto, Italy
Date: Centuries-old
Notes: Proverbs or Folk Sayings on Aging -- Old Women -- by Region -- Veneto
     
      o in Italian:(Dialect) La galina vecia vole un galeto zovane.
      o in English: An old hen wants a young cock. (Meaning) Older women prefer younger men as partners.
Contributed by: Image courtesy of The Library of Congress #1837r

View full size image

Veneto, Italy
Date: Centuries-old
Notes: Proverb or Folk Saying on Aging -- by Region -- Veneto
     
      o in Italian: (Dialect) I omini i ga i ani che i se senti, le done quil che le mostra.
      o in English: (Literally) Men have the years they feel, women, what they show. Meaning: Men are as old as they feel; women are as old as they look.
Contributed by: Image courtesy of The Library of Congress #3b48430r

View full size image

Page: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 / Next >>