Geographic Places

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• Nova Jorca

  New York

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  Nova Jorca

  /NOH-vah YOR-kah/

  Noun[Era 1]

  The Siculish way to call New York — the city your grandparents conquered without ever fully learning how to pronounce it. Packing your bags for the big city?

  Don't say

  "I'm going to New York."

  Say

  "Staiu jennu a Nova Jorca."

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• Brucculinu

  Brooklyn

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  Brucculinu

  /broo-koo-LEE-noo/

  Noun[Era 2]

  Brooklyn, with a Sicilian accent. The borough that became a second Sicily: same loud dinners, same nosy neighbors, just colder in December. Need to say where you're from?

  Don't say

  "I'm from Brooklyn."

  Say

  "Sugnu di Brucculinu, capisc'?"

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• Minnistritti

  Main Street

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  Minnistritti

  /mee-nee-STREET-tee/

  Noun[Era 1 & 2]

  Main Street, rebuilt by Sicilian ears. The one road with the bakery, the barber, the church and a cousin from every family. Need to say where you’ll meet?

  Don't say

  "Meet me on Main Street."

  Say

  "Ncuntramunni a Minnistritti."

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• U Strittu

  Street

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  U Strittu

  /oo STREET-too/

  Noun[Era 1 & 2]

  The street, with a Sicilian article stuck on the front. Where kids played until dinner, grandmothers watched from the balcony and nothing happened unnoticed. Looking for the kids?

  "I picciriddi ghiocanu ô strittu."

  "The kids are playing out in the street."

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• A Vinuta

  Avenue

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  A Vinuta

  /ah vee-NOO-tah/

  Noun[Era 1 & 2]

  The avenue: a grand American name that Sicilians simply wrapped in a vowel. Wide enough for a parade, mostly used for parking arguments. Giving directions?

  Don't say

  "Turn left on the avenue."

  Say

  "Gira a manca ntâ Vinuta."

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• Iarda

  Yard

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  Iarda

  /YAR-dah/

  Noun[Era 1 & 2]

  The yard: a tiny patch with a fig tree, three tomato plants and one fiercely protected lawn chair. Never a lawn, always a project. Where’s Nonno?

  "Nonnu è ntâ iarda cu i pummadoru."

  "Grandpa is in the yard with the tomatoes."

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• Bensinosti

  Bensonhurst

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  Bensinosti

  /ben-see-NOS-tee/

  Noun[Era 1 & 2]

  Bensonhurst, the Brooklyn neighborhood that turned into a little Sicily, where every block smelled like Sunday sauce. Home, for a lot of us. Asked where you grew up?

  Don't say

  "I grew up in Bensonhurst."

  Say

  "Criscivu a Bensinosti."

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• Becchiàrdu

  Backyard

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  Becchiàrdu

  /beh-kee-AR-doo/

  Noun[Era 1 & 2]

  The backyard: the private theatre of every Sicilian-American summer, with folding tables, a grapevine and a barbecue that starts at noon. Where is everyone?

  "Semu tutti ntô becchiàrdu."

  "We’re all out in the backyard."

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