Things Italian Moms Say, Parts II and III

I, myself, have heard, "Hey, get a mopina and clean that up!" more than a few times.  (As always, the "a" at the end, like ricotta, pronounced "rigot" in Southern Italiy/Sicily, is dropped:  mopeen).

(Some other interesting background.  For example, I have heard the phrase "chigoots" or something like that.  It turns out that is "che cazzo vuoi," which in Southern Italy/Sicily slang is shortened to "chigoots" because the c becomes a g, or almost a g.  It means, literally, "What the penis do you want?"  but colloquially can be used in many contexts, such as "What are you doing?  You are an idiot! Get away from me!"  Now THAT is a phrase that will come in handy, people.)





With hugs to Jenn Merolla.

Wow.

Yesterday in Raleigh was like a badly conceived horror movie.  Here is a picture from US 70, a road Bill Keech and I usually take to get home (yes, we carpool.  Don't hate me because I'm green!)

That's not a road out in the country.  That's a major highway about 2 miles from RDU airport, and the main connector for Durham and Raleigh.

We chose a different route, on the theory that a longer trip on the interstate would avoid having to stop at lights on hills, and that the plows were more likely to be out on the interstate.  So we avoided ....whatever that is, in the picture.

They might be psycho killers but tonight I really don't care

In honor of the snow-ravaged south and Mungo's recent postings, I give you Jens Lekman's immortal Black Cab (you're welcome)!

Snow Ball Slingshot

In honor of what is happening later today...in NC at least.



Thanks to SdM.  And one wishes for a cat screech after he shoots the snow ball "fah."

UPDATE:  Apropos of absolutely nothing...Super Bowl version of Funny Bad Lip Reading.  

"Sustainable" is the New "Smurfy"

You likely noticed how the Smurfs used the word "Smurf" as an all purpose fill-in, a shibboleth, and a way connecting and showing how cool they were.  Of course, it can also be used in other ways, as in when Grouchy yells, "Oh, good Lord.  Who SMURFED?  That smells terrible."  Or when Neil Patrick Harris actually sang, "So, I smurfed her just a little kiss, like this!" while pretending to play "Walk this Way" on guitar.

Managers in all sorts of firms have found the words, "transitioning our core competency" to have the same effect.

Now, "sustainable" is the coolest, most meanlingless word in English.  It's the new Smurfy!

What is the most ridiculous use of the "sustainable" that you have seen, readers?

The trend is ominous.  And, like must UNsustainable trends, some people have seen it coming.

This Year's English Gift to German

The word is "Sh*tstorm"

There was a prize.

If Michael Lewis was not totally off base, I'm surprised this concept was not already firmly embedded in the German consciousness.

Nod to frequent commenter Tom.

Mexican electoral politics is getting interesting

It seemed like back to the future. The PRI looked like they had the presidential election locked up without even having to resort to unplugging the vote-counting computers and improvising some results. The PAN is very weak partly due to their failing drug war and the PRD has somehow again nominated El Peje, who has slipped into the twilight zone.

But now word comes that the PRI is losing part of its electoral alliance. The party of the Mexican teachers union (i.e. Panal) is pulling its considerable support.


Why?

Because of a grass-roots revolt inside the PRI over plans to put the union head's daughter and son-in-law up as Senate candidates.

When informed that this was no longer on the table,  Elba Esther Gordillo pulled her party out of the alliance (from her home in San Diego) and showed why Mexican Spanish is the greatest language on the planet by saying:

"Pues entonces, que se vaya todo a la chingada"

Hat tip to Aguachile via Greg Weeks!