Occupations & Roles

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• Giobbu

  Job

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  Giobbu

  /JOH-bboo/

  Noun[Era 1]

  A job, with a Sicilian accent. It paid the bills, opened the shops and sometimes even bought the first espresso machine. Need to tell someone you found work?

  "Truvai nu giobbu."

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• Bossu

  Boss

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  Bossu

  /BOS-soo/

  Noun[Era 1 & 2]

  The boss: the man who gave the orders, took the credit and somehow always had a cousin to hire. Respected, feared, a little mocked. Who’s in charge?

  Don't say

  "The boss is here!"

  Say

  "Arrivau u bossu!"

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• Custumi

  Customer

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  Custumi

  /koos-TOO-mee/

  Noun[Era 1 & 2]

  The customer: always right, rarely on time. The reason every shop had a bell and every shopkeeper a smile. Who’s at the door?

  "C’è nu custumi ca aspetta."

  "There’s a customer waiting."

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• Bricchilleri

  Bricklayer

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  Bricchilleri

  /bree-kee-LEH-ree/

  Noun[Era 1 & 2]

  The bricklayer: the man who built half the city with his hands and his lunch bag. Strong back, strong opinions. What does he do?

  "Me patri fa u bricchilleri."

  "My father is a bricklayer."

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• Pisuvoicchi

  Piecework

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  Pisuvoicchi

  /pee-soo-VOY-kee/

  Noun[Era 1 & 2]

  Piecework, paid by the piece: the arithmetic of survival, where every stitch and every hour counted. Hard to say, harder to live. How are you paid?

  "Travagghiu a pisuvoicchi."

  "I work piecework."

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• Pulissi

  Police

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  Pulissi

  /poo-LEES-see/

  Noun[Era 1 & 2]

  The police: the blue uniforms that made every Sicilian mother suddenly remember her best manners. Spotted them? Act calm.

  "Talìa, arrivàru i pulissi!"

  "Look, the police are here!"

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• Pulissman

  Policeman

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  Pulissman

  /poo-lees-MAHN/

  Noun[Era 1 & 2]

  The policeman: the one man on the block everyone greeted and nobody invited for dinner. Knew your name before you did. Seen him?

  "U pulissman passa ogni matina."

  "The policeman walks by every morning."

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