Every now and then I fall for perverse compulsions to perform deeds I know I will regret. I should know better by now. One such compulsion cost me a piece of my finger. Another took several layers of skin off my tongue, when I fell for the siren song of elder siblings who convinced me to do an experiment with my tongue and a frozen … Continue reading Baccalà Assailed

Anyone who has lived in a foreign culture knows that certain words and phrases defy translation because they describe purely local phenomena. For example: In English, “looking good,” “putting your best foot forward,” or “pulling something off” hardly captures the Italian fare una bella figura. And only legislation — the recent law on privacy — taught Italians that banking should be a personal matter. Italians did … Continue reading Slip It On