Words to live by

The Italian phrase that turns doing absolutely nothing into an art form

Every culture looks at life through its own lens: from a farmer in old Japan to a poet in ancient Rome, they all figured out their own version of "life's too short, don't be a fool about it". But some languages found the perfect handful of words to capture an idea that other languages take a whole paragraph to fumble through. You've probably heard "Carpe diem" shouted by Robin Williams in Dead Poets Society, or maybe your grandfather liked to say "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" (which got a big boost from Benjamin Franklin, who printed it in his famous almanac). Here are 10 more gems worth adding to your back pocket.

You say this when something annoying or disappointing happens and there's simply nothing to be done about it: you missed the bus, the soup's too salty, whatever the case may be. Nobody can pin down exactly when it started, but it's been part of everyday French speech for centuries, and it slipped into English decades ago.

The closest American equivalent is probably "such is life" or the more resigned "it is what it is."

This one celebrates lounging around guilt-free: sipping coffee, watching the world go by, accomplishing absolutely nothing on purpose. It's tied to Italy's relaxed approach to life and shows up whenever someone wants to justify an afternoon nap.

There's no single inventor; it's just baked into Italian culture. English doesn't really have a phrase this poetic, though "kicking back" or "taking it easy" gets at the same idea, minus the charm.

A gentle way of saying "don't stress about the future, it'll work out how it works out." Many Americans know it from the 1956 Doris Day song, though the phrase itself is older and its exact origin is fuzzy; some trace similar sayings back to medieval Europe. It's perfect for calming down a worrier before a big decision.

English speakers might reach for "what will be, will be" or simply "it'll all work out."

This one comes straight from the Roman poet Horace, around 23 B.C., urging readers to grab pleasure from today instead of banking on tomorrow. It became a household phrase in America after that unforgettable scene in Dead Poets Society. Use it anytime you're pushing someone (or yourself) to stop overthinking and just do the thing.

The English cousin is "no time like the present."

The message is: you can't undo a late start, but you can still act now instead of moping around. It's often attributed to ancient Chinese farming wisdom, though nobody can point to an exact author or date. People say this when someone's beating themselves up over a delayed career change, workout plan, or savings account.

The nearest English saying is "better late than never."

This reflects a traditional Japanese value of blending in and not causing friction within the group. It's used to explain why someone might hold back from bragging or standing out too much at work or school, even when they deserve more credit. Its exact origins are unclear, but it's long been considered a summary of Japanese social norms.

English has "the squeaky wheel gets the grease"; funny enough, the opposite advice.

This proverb, heard across several African countries without one confirmed birthplace, is about adapting when circumstances shift: new boss, new rules, new season of life, whatever the case may be. It's the wise elder's way of saying "stop dancing to a song that already ended."

Americans might say "roll with the punches" or "go with the flow" instead.

This warns against risking something certain for something uncertain, however tempting. Benjamin Franklin printed it in his famous Poor Richard's Almanack in the 1700s, though the saying is actually much older, tracing back to medieval English and even earlier fable traditions. It's the go-to line when someone's tempted to gamble a sure thing for a "maybe better" option.

Rooted in Southern African culture, this idea states that your identity and wellbeing are tied to your community and that you don't exist in isolation. Archbishop Desmond Tutu helped popularize it worldwide during South Africa's post-apartheid years. It's used to encourage compassion and teamwork, and to remind us that we're all connected.

English doesn't have a tidy one-liner for this, though "no man is an island" comes close.

This is simply an exclamation of shock or disbelief, the Mandarin cousin of "oh my gosh!" There's no dramatic origin story here; it's everyday, casual speech, useful for when you accidentally drop your phone in the toilet or hear surprising gossip.

The English equivalent is right there in the translation: "oh my heavens" or "good grief."

BUZZING TRIVIA

Summer Chorus: 10 Noisy Facts About Cicadas

Image: Shannon Potter

Cicadas are fascinating living beings. They spend years slowly developing underground, only to die shortly after emerging. They sing loud and mesmerizing summer symphonies that can be heard from miles away.

Join us as we unravel the many mysteries of cicadas!

Image: Ellicia

Cicadas have one of the longest lifespans among insects, with certain broods surviving up to 17 years underground before emerging as adults.

This extended period spent feeding on sap from tree roots allows them to develop slowly, conserving energy for their brief life above ground.

Image: USDAgov, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Cicada nymphs are adept tunnelers, using their strong front legs to burrow through the soil in search of tree roots to feed on. They construct vertical tunnels that can extend as much as 2 feet underground, where they remain until it's time to emerge as adults.

This subterranean lifestyle protects them from predators and environmental fluctuations until their time to emerge to the surface comes. While tunneling out, they produce chemicals that act as a sort of glue, holding the tunnel’s shape for long periods of time.

Image: Matteo Grando

Cicadas feed primarily on xylem sap, the nutrient-rich fluid found in plant vascular systems. Using their specialized mouthparts, they tap into tree roots (or branches during adulthood) to access this vital sustenance.

While their feeding habits may cause minor damage to trees, cicadas more than make up for it by helping aerate the soil with their tunnels and contributing nitrogen to the soil after they die.

Image: Ian Hutchinson

North American periodical cicadas have a unique lifecycle, spending either 13 or 17 years underground before emerging. This lengthy span isn't random, it's thought to be an evolutionary strategy to avoid synchronization with predator populations.

Emerging in prime-numbered cycles makes it difficult for predators to anticipate their arrival.

Image: Ian Hutchinson

If you are a fan of cicadas, this year you might have the chance to witness a very rare phenomenon. Periodical cicadas are classified into groups called broods according to the length of their cycles and their location.

Sometimes, two or more broods synchronize and emerge all at once in the same year, swarming wooded areas with billions of the chanting insects. In 2024, Brood XIX and Brood XIII will emerge at the same time in the Midwest, something we have not seen since Thomas Jefferson was president!

Image: Jacinto Diego

Mass emergences of cicadas can sometimes coincide with the outbreak of a fungal pathogen known as Massospora cicadina. This fungus infects cicadas, causing them to lose control of their bodies and engage in bizarre behaviors.

Infected cicadas are often noticeable because they lose part of their abdomen to a soft mass of fungal spores. Despite these gruesome effects, the fungus only affects a small percentage of the total population.

Image: Yuri Vasconcelos

Like all insects, cicadas undergo ecdysis, the process of shedding their exoskeletons as they grow. However, cicadas take this to the extreme, shedding their nymphal exoskeletons en masse once they emerge as adults.

This transformation process, known as molting, leaves behind the ghostly exoskeletons of their nymphal stages clinging to trees and other surfaces.

Image: Deb Dowd

Once above ground, adult cicadas spend their short-lived adulthood focused on one mission: reproduction. Males produce their characteristic buzzing calls to attract mates, with some species capable of reaching volumes exceeding 100 decibels.

Unlike crickets, which rub their legs together to make noise, cicadas repeatedly expand and contract a membrane called a tymbal. Their cacophonous chorus serves as a mating call that can be heard from miles away.

Image: Joshua J. Cotten

On top of their lengthy cycles and simultaneous hatching, cicadas have evolved various adaptations to survive predation. From cryptic coloration to mimicry of toxic species, they employ a range of strategies to evade hungry predators.

Males soften or stop their singing altogether when a predator approaches so that their attention goes to nearby louder singers. Some species even display bright colors on their wings when threatened.

Image: Harish Shivaraman

Celebrated for their crunchy texture and nutty flavor, in many cultures cicadas are considered prized delicacies. Among Native Americans, specimens from the 17-year brood were highly sought after, while in South Asia, they are often eaten deep-fried, or in a similar fashion to shellfish and other crustaceans.

Rich in protein and low in fat, cicadas can be a healthy and sustainable food source.