Life in Italy

(click here for previous edition - Pizza)

Borrowed English Words
(that don't exist)

Every so often here in Italy, you hear them use a word that they have borrowed from the English language.  That's nothing too strange.  After all, we've borrowed our share of words from Italian (mostly food words come to mind for some reason).

But what strikes us funny is when they "borrow" words that just don't exist.  Or when they take an English word and use it with a completely different meaning.  I've come up with a few examples, but as is often the case, now that I want to write about it, I can't think of too many.  I'll give you the examples I have thought of, and be back later to add some more as they come to mind.

I'll list the word and use it in a sentence.  See if you can guess what it means.  I'll put the answers at the bottom.

"Autostop"  You often see signs at highway entrances that say "No Autostop".

"Footing"  I waved at my neighbor who I saw out footing.

"Mister"  I was furious at the mister when he took me out of the game.

"Ticket"  I had to pay the ticket for my doctor's visit.

Scroll down to see the answers ...

** Answers **

Autostop is hitch hiking. 

Footing is jogging.

Mister is what the coach of a soccer team is called.  I've always heard it in the context of professional teams.

Ticket is a co-pay for a medical visit or procedure.  When you make the appointment, they give you a slip of paper with the amount you must pay.  You then need to stop by the bank or automated machine to pay the "ticket" or co-pay before your visit.