Umarell

Umarèl
Umarells observing re-paving at the corners of Palazzo Re Enzo and Via Rizzoli, Bologna, in 2016
CountryItaly
Major figuresFranco Bonini
InfluencesDanilo Masotti

Umarell (Italian spelling of the Bolognese Emilian word umarèl, Emilian pronunciation: [umaˈrɛːl]; plural umarî) are men of retirement age who spend their time watching construction sites, especially roadworks – stereotypically with hands clasped behind their back and offering unwanted advice to the workers.[1] Its literal meaning is "little man" (also umaréin).[2] The term is employed as lighthearted mockery or self-deprecation.

The modern term was popularised in 2005 by local writer Danilo Masotti[3][4] through three books and an associated blog.[5][6] In 2021, the word was included in the Zingarelli dictionary.[7][8][9][10][11]

  1. ^ De Santis, Silvia (6 February 2016). "Umarèlls a Bologna, pensionati in prima fila per assistere ai lavori in corso. "Ogni giorno controlliamo quel che succede nei cantieri" (VIDEO, FOTO)". L'Huffington Post. Archived from the original on 28 April 2021. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
  2. ^ Bianchini, Margherita (2011). 101 cose da fare a Bologna almeno una volta nella vita. Newton Compton Editori. pp. Item 40. ISBN 9788854125469. Archived from the original on 23 December 2021. Retrieved 3 October 2020.
  3. ^ Masotti, Danilo (21 April 2018). "Bologna, all'inaugurazione di Piazzetta degli umarells c'erano tutti. Pure i contestatori". Il Fatto Quotidiano (in Italian). Archived from the original on 25 November 2020.
  4. ^ Manici, Elisa (14 April 2014). "La nostalgia degli 'umarells' è paralizzante. Bisogna cominciare a immaginarsi un futuro diverso". Ferraraitalia.it - Quotidiano di Ferrara - l'informazione verticale (in Italian). Archived from the original on 16 April 2014. Retrieved 17 December 2020.
  5. ^ "'Oltre il cantiere. Fenomenologia degli umarells': se ne parla con Masotti". BolognaToday. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  6. ^ "Esce 'Oltre il cantiere' di Masotti - Emilia-Romagna". ANSA.it (in Italian). 8 November 2016. Archived from the original on 25 June 2020. Retrieved 26 July 2017.
  7. ^ "La parola 'Umarell' entra nel vocabolario Zingarelli". Ansa. 3 December 2020. Archived from the original on 3 December 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  8. ^ "Gli 'umarells' bolognesi si aggirano ufficialmente nella lingua italiana". Dire. 3 December 2020. Archived from the original on 8 December 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  9. ^ "Bologna, gli "umarells" entrano nel vocabolario Zingarelli". Corriere di Bologna. 3 December 2020. Archived from the original on 6 May 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  10. ^ Bartezzaghi, Stefano (3 December 2020). "Dal cantiere al dizionario: l'Umarèll è finito sullo Zingarelli". la Repubblica (in Italian). Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2020.
  11. ^ ""Pensionato che si aggira, con le mani dietro la schiena...": la parola "Umarell" entra nel vocabolario"". Bolognatoday (in Italian). 3 December 2020. Archived from the original on 10 February 2021. Retrieved 3 December 2020.