Rooms & Structure
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Ruffu
Roof
Ruffu
/ROO-foo/
Noun[Era 1 & 2]
The roof: where laundry dried, pigeons were raised and teenagers hid their first secrets. The highest point of the family. Where’s the cat?
← Tap to flip back"U jattu è supra u ruffu."
"The cat is up on the roof."
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Rifriguera
Refrigerator
Rifriguera
/ri·frì·gue·ra/
Noun[Era 1 & 2]
The Siculish ancestor of the modern refrigerator, born when our grandparents in America decided the English language needed a refreshing twist. Often confused by outsiders with a deep fryer (friggitrice), but if you pour oil in it, you'll make a huge mess.
← Tap to flip back"Chiudi la rifriguera che si scongela tutto!"
"Close the refrigerator, everything is defrosting!"
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Aisabachisa
Ice Box
Aisabachisa
/ah-ee-sah-BAH-kee-sah/
Noun[Era 1 & 2]
The ice box: the great-grandfather of the fridge, a wooden box and a block of ice that kept the whole family’s dinner alive. Cold, noisy and heroic. What’s in it?
← Tap to flip back"Ntâ aisabachisa c’è u latti."
"There’s milk in the ice box."
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Furnàci
Furnace
Furnàci
/foor-NAH-chee/
Noun[Era 1 & 2]
The furnace: the angry iron beast in the basement that kept winter out and the heating bill in. Handle with respect and a stick. Cold in here?
← Tap to flip back"Addumma u furnàci, ca fa friddu."
"Light the furnace, it’s cold."
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Fenza
Fence
Fenza
/FEN-sah/
Noun[Era 1 & 2]
The fence: the border between your tomatoes and the neighbor’s, defended with love, politeness and a sharp look. Good fences make good gossip. Is it yours?
← Tap to flip back"Pitta a fenza prima ca veni Natali."
"Paint the fence before Christmas comes."
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Carpetta
Carpet
Carpetta
/kar-PET-tah/
Noun[Era 1 & 2]
The carpet: wall-to-wall in every room, thick enough to hide the crumbs of seven Sundays. Soft ground for a hard family. Shoes on?
← Tap to flip back"Nun caminari ncapu a carpetta cu i scarpi!"
"Don’t walk on the carpet with your shoes!"
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Blocchi
Blocks
Blocchi
/BLOK-kee/
Noun[Era 1 & 2]
Blocks: the streets of the neighborhood, each with its own boss, bakery and feud. You never left your block without a story. How far is it?
← Tap to flip back"Abbitu a tri blocchi di ccà."
"I live three blocks from here."
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Mascina
Machine
Mascina
/mah-SHEE-nah/
Noun[Era 1 & 2]
The machine: any metal thing that hums, from the sewing machine to the washing machine, and is treated like a family member. Broken again?
← Tap to flip back"A mascina di lavari si ruppi n’autra vota."
"The washing machine broke again."
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Sciào
Shower
Sciào
/SHAH-oh/
Noun[Era 1 & 2]
The shower: a rare luxury in an old tenement, shared by eight and timed by a furious grandmother. Warm for exactly three minutes. Done yet?
← Tap to flip back"Fatti u sciào, ca è tardu!"
"Take a shower, it’s late!"