Last night, they told us that we’d see a very special, extra large full moon, the sort of moon that you only see una volta ogni morte di Papa (once in a blue moon).

Photo CC by manfred majer

Geoff, who was out on the terrazzo gazing up a silvery disk in the limpid night sky, asked me to go and get the tape measure so that we could check the moon’s dimensions, but unfortunately we didn’t manage. The step ladder wasn’t long enough!
The moon was beautifully clear, but to our eyes it didn’t appear any different than usual, even the cats ignored it, preferring to spend the cold night inside.

Una volta ogni morte di Papa (literally: once every Pope’s death, i.e. something that happens rarely) is a common modo di dire (idiomatic expression). Here are a few more, set in everyday conversational contexts:

1. essere di luna buona (literally: to be in a good moon)

Oggi la mamma sembra di luna buona, proviamo a chiederle se ci porta al negozio di giocattoli
Today mum seems in a good mood, let’s ask her if she will take us to the toy shop

2. avere la luna storta/per traverso (literally: to have a wonky moon)

Stai attenta a come parli a Gianni, oggi ha la luna storta/per traverso
Be careful how you talk to Gianni, today he’s having a bad day

3. avere un diavolo per capello (literally: to have a devil on each hair)

Cos’è che non va con Maria? C’ha un diavolo per capello
What’s wrong with Maria? She’s furious

4. Chi non risica non rosica  (literally: who does not risk does not nibble)

“Gianna si è licenziata e ha deciso di aprire un negozio. Secondo me è un po’ rischioso di questi tempi” – “Vero, ma chi non risica non rosica!“
“Gianna has resigned and decided to open a shop. I think it’s quite risky nowadays” – “True, but nothing ventured nothing gained!”

5. Il mondo è bello perché è vario (literally: the world is beautiful because it’s varied). This is used ironically.

“Franco a volte è proprio strano. Anche con questo freddo si ostina ad indossare i calzoncini!” – “Boh, il mondo è bello perché è vario!“
“Franco is really strange sometimes. Even with this cold he insists on wearing shorts!” – “Huh … it takes all sorts!”

Here are a couple of proverbs that I used to hear when I was a child that used to puzzle me:

6. Il diavolo fa le pentole ma non i coperchi (literally: the devil makes the pots but not the lids)

Mamma: “Serena, perché hai mangiato tutti i biscotti e poi hai rimesso la scatola vuota a posto senza dirlo?”. Serena, incredula: “Come fai a sapere che sono stata io?”. Mamma: “Il diavolo fa le pentole ma non i coperchi!“, indicando le briciole dei biscotti sul mio vestito
Mother: “Serena, why did you eat all the biscuits and put the empty tin back without saying anything?”. Serena, incredulous: “How do you know it was me?”. Mother: “Your sins will find you out!” pointing to the biscuit crumbs on my dress

7. Le bugie hanno le gambe corte (literally: lies have short legs)

Mamma: “Serena, non mentire, lo so benissimo che sei stata tu a far cadere l’angiolino di ceramica e non il gatto”. Serena, sorpresa e confusa: “No, no, non sono stata io”. Mamma: “Ricordati, le bugie hanno le gambe corte!“
Mamma: “Serena, don’t lie. I know very well that it was you and not the cat who knocked down the ceramic angel”. Serena, surprised and confused: “No, no it wasn’t me”. Mother: “Remember, the truth always comes out in the end!”

Do you have a favourite proverb?