This episode’s audio doesn’t exist, and we have technology to blame (poof! gone into cyberspace!). Instead of listening to this episode, feel free to use the notes below to learn more about the topic. And if you’re like, “CHER, NO. I NEED THIS EPISODE,” then let me know in the comments below. I’ll put it on my list to record again!

Similar to our episode on Natale in December and our Valentine’s Day episode in February we decided to do another themed podcast episode on doing Valentine’s Day Italian style.

Listen: 32 Italian Valentine’s Vocabulary and Pick-Up Phrases [Due Ragazze Pazze]

If you want to see the transcripts for our guest speakers Martina and Francesco, go to the bottom of this post where you’ll find links to Melissa’s site with the transcripts.

Italian Phrases for Carnevale

— A Carnevale ogni scherzo adesso vale! – At Carnevale, anything goes!

— Le maschere – The masks

— I costumi di fantasia – Creative costumes

— I coriandoli – Confetti

— Fare gli scherzi – To play jokes

— Prendere in giro qualcuno – To tease someone (Literally: To take someone for a spin)

— I carri – floats

— La carta pesta – Papier mache

— Affascinante – Fascinating

— I mascherari – Mask-makers

— I personaggi dei cartoni animati – Cartoon characters

— La trombetta – Little horn you blow into to make noise

— I trucchi – Tricks

— Il trucco – Make-up

— I canali – Canals

— Le gondole – Gondolas

— Le manifestazioni – Big displays and street decorations

— Costume d’epoca – Period costume

— Le parrucche – Wigs

— Allegria – Happiness

— I festeggiamenti – Festivities

— In buona compagnia – In good company

— Tempo di spasso e di baldoria – Time to have fun

— Chiacchiere – Crunchy, sweet streets served at Carnevale

— Il travestimento collettivo – The collecting dressing up

— Allestire – to prepare

— Il concorso per la maschera più bella – Contest for the most beautiful mask

— Riunioni di persone che si comportano o vestono in modo poco serio – gatherings of people who conduct themselves or dress in a frivolous way

— Il volo dell’angelo – Flight of the angel

Want to learn more about the tradition called “The Flight of the Angel?” Read this: The 12 Marias of Carnevale & the Flight of the Angel

Cocktail Party Facts

— The word Carnevale comes from “carne levare” since eating meat was restricted as a penance while preparing for Easter.

— Carnevale has roots in the pagan celebrations of Saturnalia and Lupercalia.

— Back in the 15th century, i mascherari – the Venetian mask-makers – enjoyed a special place in society. They even had their own laws and guild.

— The snacks “Chiacchiere” are also known as intrigoni, cenci, bugie and frappe.

— Il volo dell’angelo is a tradition that started when a Turkish acrobat walked on a rope from a boat tied in Riva degli Schiavoni to St. Marks Bell Tower and then from the tower to the Doge’s Palace. It was a tribute to the Doge.

— For Carnevale, kids usually dress up as their favorite cartoon characters.