Daily Italian

The dangers of asking for a latte or a panini in Italy

Although French and Spanish are undoubtedly the Romance languages that have influenced English vocabulary the most, Italian is not absent from our dictionary. Be it because of Italian immigration —especially in American English— or as a remnant of a time when Italian was the language of culture and knowledge, Italian words are present in our everyday speech, though not always with their original meaning. Let’s explore 10 words we inherited from Italian.

Is there anything more American than a pepperoni pizza? Most people would agree that pepperoni is an American staple, and asking for it anywhere in the U.S. would result in a spicy sausage. Not for Italians, though. American ‘pepperoni’ is a corrupted form of the Italian word peperoni, the plural for ‘bell peppers’. The shift in meaning from bell pepper to spicy sausage came from the use of paprika (made from peppers) in spicy sausage, and the double ‘p’ was influenced by the word ‘pepper’.

As many English-speaking tourists know from personal experience, asking for a ‘latte’ in Italy will get you a glass of milk. After all, latte is Italian for ‘milk’. Why do we use it for a drink of espresso and steamed milk, then? This coffee-based drink is of Italian origin, and it’s called caffè e latte or caffelatte (‘coffee and milk’). In America, it was eventually shortened to ‘latte’, but the original name is still used in Italy, which leads to many confused tourists.

The difference is quite small here: asking for a ‘panini’ in English will get you a toasted sandwich, and asking for a panini in Italian will result in more than one sandwich. In Italian, panini is the plural of panino (‘little bread’). While Italians use panino for a small bread roll, it is also a common word for a ciabatta, panino or focaccia sandwich, often filled with cold cuts, vegetables, and cheese.

From the Latin diva (‘goddess’), this Italian word became popular in the 19th century to refer to highly celebrated female singers, particularly in opera. English adopted this use and continues to call female stars ‘divas’, but the word has also gained a negative connotation thanks to the popular association of some female entertainers with entitlement and arrogance.

In Italian, vendetta means ‘vengeance’ or ‘vindication’, while in English it’s used for a long, bitter feud. Despite the difference in meaning, the English meaning of ‘vendetta’ was also coined by Italians. In the 19th century, vendetta became a common name for the bloody family feuds in Southern Italy, a meaning that entered English through Italian immigration. Although the word is many times associated with organized crime, it is also common to describe any personal or political rivalry.

If you go back to English class in high school, you might remember ‘stanzas’ as groups of verses in a poem. In Italian, stanza is derived from the Latin stantia (‘’standing or stopping place’), which resulted in the Italian word meaning ‘a place where one stays’, ergo, a ‘room’. How did it shift from ‘room’ to ‘group of verses’? While a room is a place where one stops, a poem also stops momentarily after a group of verses, and stanza is used in the literary sense in Italian as well. While the domestic meaning never made its way into English, the literary term did.

Being stabbed by a stiletto is painful in both English and Italian, but the situation described is not necessarily the same. In Italian, stiletto is the diminutive form of stilo (‘dagger’), used in the 1500s for a needle-like, narrow dagger. The name carried to the iconic shoes in the 1950s, when Salvatore Ferragamo started using steel rods to stabilize thin heels. Although English had adopted ‘stiletto’ in the 17th century in relation to the weapon, it is now mainly used in its fashion sense.

Scenario comes from the Latin scena (‘stage’ or ‘scene’), and was originally used in Italian to describe the written plot or outline of theater plays, that is, the things that happened on a stage or scene. English adopted the term with this theatrical meaning, but eventually it also came to be used for hypothetical future outcomes. In Italian, the word kept its meaning as ‘stage’ and as ‘plot outline’, but is also used with the meanings of ‘context’ and ‘landscape’.

From the Latin extravagans (‘wandering outside’), the Italian estravaganza evolved to mean ‘an oddity’ or ‘unusual behavior’. While the word was borrowed by English with this meaning in the 18th century, its spelling quickly changed into ‘extravaganza’ by association with other similar-sounding words. Used in association with theater plays, its meaning eventually shifted from ‘odd behavior’ to ‘lavish and spectacular show’.

We all know the term ‘influenza’ as the name for a respiratory virus, commonly shortened to ‘flu’. In Italian, influenza means ‘influence’, and is derived from the Latin influentia, ‘something that flows in’. Related to cosmic forces flowing from above, influenza was used in astrology to describe the pull of stars and planets, which is why, after blaming a 16th-century epidemic on a bad star alignment, the term became associated with a quick-spreading disease.

The Bard’s English

10 Shakespearean phrases we still use today

Image: Dalton Smith

William Shakespeare’s influence on the English language is unparalleled, and he is often regarded as one of the most significant figures in classical literature. Beyond his famous dramatic works, Shakespeare also created and popularized many words and phrases that are still in use today. From finding yourself "in a pickle" to having "too much of a good thing," the Bard’s influence on everyday language just can’t be ignored! Join us as we explore 10 words and phrases that owe their existence to Shakespeare.

Image: Jennifer Lim-Tamkican

Shakespeare coined the phrase "to break the ice" in The Taming of the Shrew. The phrase refers to overcoming awkwardness when meeting someone new. This was metaphorical, likening human interaction to cracking through ice, a common symbol of tension and social distance.

Today, the phrase is almost universal in social and professional contexts. There are even "icebreaker" activities to help people introduce themselves or get acquainted quickly in gatherings.

Image: Gary Bendig

In Romeo and Juliet, Mercutio (a close friend to Romeo in the play) refers to a "wild-goose chase" during a playful exchange, describing a type of racing where riders follow the unpredictable path of the lead horse, much like geese in flight.

The modern sense of the phrase describes any frustrating or aimless pursuit, often with no clear resolution. In any case, the underlying idea of chasing something elusive or unattainable remains.

Image: SuckerPunch Gourmet

Shakespeare used "in a pickle" in The Tempest when King Alonso questioned Trinculo’s confused state. At the time in England, being "in a pickle" actually referred to being inebriated, likening the state of drunkenness to food submerged in brine.

Over time, the metaphor got simplified and evolved to mean "in a tough spot," much like a cucumber trapped in a briny jar.

Image: Marek Studzinski

In Henry V, Shakespeare described a character as having a "heart of gold," praising his noble character and good nature. The phrase stuck and became a timeless symbol of virtue and kindness.

This phrase remains a powerful compliment today. When we say someone has a heart of gold, we emphasize their goodness and selflessness, which is certainly a testament to Shakespeare’s ability to craft universally understood metaphors.

Image: Daniela Paola Alchapar

This famous line from The Merchant of Venice warns against trusting appearances. "All that glitters is not gold" reminds us that what shines on the surface may hide less valuable qualities beneath.

It is now a common English proverb, used as a warning in various contexts. While Shakespeare did not invent it, he likely adapted the idea from earlier sources, popularizing it in its modern form.

Image: Roman Kraft

In Henry IV, Part 2, Shakespeare used "break the news" to refer to revealing important or often unpleasant information. The phrase quickly gained traction and became part of common speech.

Today, "breaking the news" usually involves delivering sensitive or significant information, whether in personal conversations or in the media. It’s a staple phrase in journalism.

Image: Sabina

In Othello, Shakespeare’s character Iago says he will "wear his heart upon his sleeve," meaning he will show his emotions openly.

This phrase is widely used today to describe someone who is emotionally transparent. It captures the idea of being vulnerable or honest about one’s feelings, another example of Shakespeare’s universal and enduring insight into human emotions.

Image: Charlotte Coneybeer

Shakespeare introduced this phrase in The Merry Wives of Windsor. Originally, it conveyed the idea of cracking open opportunities, much like opening an oyster to reveal a pearl within.

Today, the expression is closely associated with optimism and ambition, carrying the notion that the world is filled with untapped potential waiting to be discovered and exploited.

Image: Vinicius Amano

In As You Like It, Shakespeare’s characters learn that excess—even of something desirable—can lead to negative outcomes. This phrase was likely inspired by older proverbs, but it was popularized by the Bard of Avon.

The modern interpretation of this idiom remains nearly identical to its original use, cautioning against overindulgence.

Image: Nathan Shively

Shakespeare coined this phrase and used it in several of his plays, like The Tempest and King John. In his writings, the expression always describes honest and just behavior.

The term "fair play" is now associated with equitable treatment and ethical conduct, especially in sports, but it’s also used in various everyday scenarios where fairness is to be promoted.