Parola del Giorno: Sfizio
Togliersi qualche sfizio, (satisfy a quirky need) or even mangiare
qualcosa di sfizioso (eating something tasty and indulgent) are popular
expressions indeed in the Italian language.
Sfizio is one of
those words we use continuously, yet without really knowing anything about its
origins. And so, it is surprising to learn it probably has southern roots, possibly
Neapolitan, and that its use was attested for the first time at the very
end of the 19th century.
Difficult to believe, though,
that we Italians never had sfizi to satisfy before then: indeed
we would just call them differently, using words like capriccio,
which in English is “whim” or “fancy,” the same terms you would use to
translate sfizio, too.
As uncertain as its etymology
may be, linguists had fun coming out with several theories: to some, sfizio
is the deformation of the term uffizio, old fashioned Italian for “duty,”
to which an “s” was added to indicate the contrary of what the word meant. So sfizio
would mean, quite literally, absence of duties or, well… time for fun.
Others, probably more attached to the glorious Latin origins of our
language, wants sfizio to derive from the verb satisficere,
which is nothing more than “satisfy.”
Whichever version you prefer, the
concept behind the word is clear: a sfizio is a pleasure, something you
don’t need but want desperately. It is the chocolate dessert after two servings
of carbonara, the glass of wine while watching TV in the evening, a new pair of
too-expensive shoes, the latest version of a smartphone.
Lo sfizio, mind, is always something light
and carefree, something you can have without hurting anyone. Lo sfizio
is pure joy, cheers you up when you’re down and gives you energy when
you’re tired. Because yes, it’s true: that chocolate dessert is so unnecessary
when your stomach is that full, but oh my! The pleasure it’ll give you is worth
alone a chest filled with gold.
From the Italo-Americano | Apr
09, 2019
