{"id":3543,"date":"2013-06-21T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2013-06-21T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/italian\/?p=3543"},"modified":"2013-06-21T11:41:55","modified_gmt":"2013-06-21T11:41:55","slug":"breaking-the-boxes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/italian\/breaking-the-boxes\/","title":{"rendered":"Breaking The Boxes"},"content":{"rendered":"

Rompere le scatole<\/strong> (to break the boxes) is a very commonly used Italian euphemism for rompere le <\/strong>palle<\/span><\/strong><\/a> (to break one\u2019s balls), or to be more vulgar rompere i coglioni<\/strong> (to break one\u2019s testicles). This idiomatic expression is used with the meaning of \u201cto really annoy someone\u201d: \u201cBasta, mi stai rompendo le scatole!\u201d<\/strong> (\u201cEnough, you\u2019re breaking my balls!). The Vocabolario della Lingua Italiana Treccani<\/strong> defines scatola<\/strong> as a rectangular or cylindrical container, generally made out of cardboard, but also wood, metal, plastic, etc., with a lid. So, why is scatole<\/strong> used as a euphemism for balls you may ask? Boh! The wonderful mysteries of the Italian language!<\/p>\n

Rude expressions aside, una scatola<\/strong> (fem. sing.) is basically a common or garden variety cardboard box, such as una scatola delle scarpe<\/strong> (a shoe box). The word scatola<\/strong> and its diminutive scatoletta <\/strong>(fem. sing., literally a small box), is also used to describe the tins that contain food, such as una scatoletta di tonno<\/strong> (a tin\/can of tuna), la scatola dei biscotti<\/strong> (the biscuit tin), cibo in scatola<\/strong> (tinned\/canned food). However, for drinks we use the word lattina<\/strong> (literally: small tin. Latta<\/strong> is the Italian word for the metal called tin<\/em>), e.g. una lattina di birra <\/strong>(a tin of beer).<\/p>\n

Then we have lo scatolone<\/strong> (masc. sing.), which is literally a big box, and usually describes the classic cardboard box used for storage, or for packing when you move house for example, ho riempito uno scatolone di libri da dare via<\/strong> (I filled up a large box with books to give away).<\/p>\n

In Italian we also have another word to describe a box: cassa<\/strong> (fem. sing.). La cassa<\/strong> is usually made out of wood, and it\u2019s stronger than la scatola<\/strong>. It\u2019s therefore used to carry and protect various object such as fruit and vegetables, ammunition, jewellery, etc., e.g. ho messo<\/strong> la cassa della verdura in cantina dov\u2019\u00e8 bello fresco <\/strong>(I\u2019ve put the box of vegetables in the cellar where it\u2019s nice and fresh).<\/p>\n

A small box is una cassetta<\/strong> (fem. sing.), e.g. ho comprato una cassetta di mele<\/strong> (I bought a small box of apples). However il cassetto<\/strong> (masc. sing.) is a drawer, e.g. le posate sono nel cassetto a sinistra<\/strong> (the cutlery is in the drawer on the left).<\/p>\n

Since it\u2019s designed to protect its contents, the word cassa<\/strong> is also used to mean a place where money is handled or stored, such as a till or cash register in supermarkets and shops, or the cash desk in a bank (also called lo sportello<\/strong>). When you go to a bar in Italy you\u2019ll often see this sign: munirsi di scontrino alla cassa<\/strong> (provide yourself with the receipt from the till, meaning that you must pay before you order. You will be given a receipt which you then present at the bar to get your caff\u00e8<\/strong>, or whatever). On the other hand, il cassiere<\/strong> (masc. sing.) or la cassiera<\/strong> (fem. sing.) is the person at the till.<\/p>\n

Finally, the word cassa<\/strong> (fund) is often part of the name of banks here in Italy, e.g. Cassa di Risparmio di Firenze <\/strong>(Firenze Saving Fund), while la cassaforte<\/strong> (fem.sing.) is the safe (lit. strong box), and la cassetta di sicurezza<\/strong> is a small safe that you can rent from a bank (lit. small security box).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Rompere le scatole (to break the boxes) is a very commonly used Italian euphemism for rompere le palle (to break one\u2019s balls), or to be more vulgar rompere i coglioni (to break one\u2019s testicles). This idiomatic expression is used with the meaning of \u201cto really annoy someone\u201d: \u201cBasta, mi stai rompendo le scatole!\u201d (\u201cEnough, you\u2019re…<\/p>\n

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