Bricklayer
A craftsman who build walls, houses, and other structures with bricks
Italian lira
The official currency of Italy between 1861 and 2002
Daft
Silly, foolish
Rita Hayworth
American actress and dancer, hugely popular in the 1940s
Fides
The brand name on Antonio's bicycle, the Italian word for "faith"
Scoundrel
A dishonest, villainous, or unscrupulous person
Nick
Jail, prison, or a police station; bad health or condition; to steal
Bloke
A regular man or fellow
Nosy parker
An overly inquisitive, prying person
Modena
A city in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region best known for its balsamic vinegar, opera, and Ferrari and Lamborghini sports cars
Trattoria
An Italian-style eating establishment that is more formal than an osteria and less formal than a ristorante. At trattorias, service is usually casual, printed menus are generally unavailable, prices are low, and the emphasis is on stable clientele rather than on sophisticated, haute food.
Porta Portese
An ancient city gate and the cite of one of Rome's most popular markets
"Cat got your tongue?"
An expression used when someone is unable to speak or articulate themselves
Brothel
A house where men visit and have sex with prostitutes
Nutter
A psychotic person
Defamation
Damaging an individual's reputation; slander or libel
"Thank your lucky stars!"
An expression of gratefulness for a beneficial outcome in a situation that might otherwise have gone badly
Post World War II Rome
Italy had to pay large sums of money for the damage it generated during the war, which resulted in widespread poverty, unemployment, and poor economic conditions for the working class
Genuflecting
The brief lowering of one's body by bending one knee to the ground, typically in worship or as a sign of respect
Making the sign of the cross
A common Catholic gesture that symbolically reaffirms two essential Christian doctrines: The Holy Trinity and humanity's salvation through the passion of Christ.
