Dr. Ed Iannuccilli: They Had Their Sayings

Dr. Ed Iannuccilli: They Had Their Sayings

With the onset of the COVID epidemic, a new lexicon has flooded our ears . . .  don the mask, curb the virus, social distancing, herd immunity, I’ll see you on Zoom, we have to flatten the curve.

In my youth, the polio epidemic generated phrases . . . iron lung, infantile paralysis, get a shot and Salk vaccine.

These colloquialisms further reminded me of bygone days when my father, mother, relatives, and friends had their favorite sayings, some lingering to this day. At family gatherings, we rekindle them, laughing over the oft-repeated quips as if they just happened.

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My uncles had a few that have made their way into family history, such as ‘New York Jints (Giants)’ and hockey ‘gooley’ (goalie). There was also “Hit it with the hose,” if Uncle Carlo wanted to rinse the soap from the car. When speaking of singer Rosemary Clooney, one uncle said “She’s married to Joe Ferrara.” He meant, of course, Jose Ferrer. Or he used Calvin instead of Kevin when summoning my nephew.  From another uncle: “He ain’t got it,” for a lousy ballplayer.

From our dear friend when she overheard a conversation about her niece who was planning to become a veterinarian. “Whaddya mean? She eats meat!”

My parents’ phrases are those most recounted by our children and nephews.

Picture this scene: As my parents are chugging along, Dad driving, Mom window shopping, some poor soul inadvertently cuts them off. Dad, blurts, “That guy’s a menace.” Mom: “Peter, maybe he has a condition.” Dad: “Condition, hell. He’s a hindrance!”

Some of Dad’s favorites: When we went to a restaurant, he was quick to reach into his wallet, even before the dinner was served, turn to me and bark, “What do I owe ya?”

“Take care of a car and it will take care of you.” “I’ll send you the hell home,” when our kids were misbehaving. “I din getcha,” as his hearing diminished in later years.

More from Dad.  As winter approached: “We lost an hour.” After the solstice: “The days get longer by a minute each day.” And, I am sure you are not surprised to hear that he said it every day.

Mom had her share: “Why, no good?” when she served a delicious dish and you asked where she bought the products or what her recipe was. “It’s in the fridge,” when the kids were looking for a snack. When picking candy from her pocket book, she turned, brightened and offered it to her grandchildren with, “Here’s a little goodie. How can you say no to candy?”

Or her admonishment about eating too much, “Don’t get a belly.” When she did not approve of someone’s garb: “She dresses like Astor’s pet horse.” Where that came from is anybody’s guess. “He has nice ears,” when she met her granddaughter’s fiancé.

Or the universal one that I heard in so many homes . . .”Eat! Eat! I don’t mind you eating, but don’t throw it away.” 

Share some of yours.

 

Dr. Ed Iannuccilli - As the author of three popular memoirs, “Growing up Italian; Grandfather’s Fig Tree and Other Stories”, “What Ever Happened to Sunday Dinner” and “My Story Continues: From Neighborhood to Junior High.”  Learn more here.