Bolognese slang term
Umarells observing re-paving at the corners of Palazzo Re Enzo and Via Rizzoli, Bologna, in 2016
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]
^ 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 .
^ 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 .
^ 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.
^ 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 .
^ " "Oltre il cantiere. Fenomenologia degli umarells": se ne parla con Masotti" . BolognaToday . Archived from the original on 29 July 2017. Retrieved 26 July 2017 .
^ "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 .
^ "La parola 'Umarell' entra nel vocabolario Zingarelli" . Ansa . 3 December 2020. Archived from the original on 3 December 2020. Retrieved 3 December 2020 .
^ "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 }}
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^ "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 .
^ 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 .
^ " "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 .