Greetings & Responses

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• Sciù

  Sure

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  Sciù

  /SHOO/

  Exclamation[Era 1 & 2]

  Sure: the short answer, said with a shrug and a smile, which almost always means yes, but don’t ask twice. Asked for a favor?

  "Mi dai na manu? Sciù!"

  "Can you give me a hand? Sure!"

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• Jèssi

  Yes

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  Jèssi

  /JEH-see/

  Exclamation[Era 1 & 2]

  Yes: the American yes, borrowed and rounded off. Said loudly, so everybody hears it, and followed by a nod. Ready?

  "Jèssi, vegnu cu tia."

  "Yes, I’m coming with you."

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• Gud Morni

  Good morning

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  Gud Morni

  /good MOR-nee/

  Greeting[Era 1 & 2]

  Good morning: the first words of the day, half English, half Sicilian and fully loud. Said with a coffee, never before. Awake yet?

  "Gud Morni, comu stai?"

  "Good morning, how are you?"

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• Orrai

  All right

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  Orrai

  /or-RAH-ee/

  Exclamation[Era 1 & 2]

  All right: the easy answer to every question. It means fine, okay, no problem and I don’t want to talk about it. How are you?

  "Orrai, grazii."

  "All right, thanks."

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• Schiusi

  Excuse me

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  Schiusi

  /SKYOO-zee/

  Phrase[Era 1 & 2]

  Excuse me: the polite pass through the crowd, the cut-in at the counter, the way to interrupt a story. Always with a smile. Need to get by?

  "Schiusi, pozzu passari?"

  "Excuse me, may I get by?"

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• Occhei

  OK

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  Occhei

  /oh-KEH-ee/

  Exclamation[Era 1 & 2]

  OK: the universal word, born in America and welcomed in Sicily with open arms. It fits any situation and settles any debate. All good?

  "Occhei, facemu accussì."

  "OK, let’s do it that way."

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