Comments on: Italy: Playing both sides since WWII

By: Meryl Yourish

Meryl Yourish — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 02:17:09 +0000

Hugh, oh. I know that one. So that’s what it means? No wonder I thought that was what it meant. Someone taught it to me a while ago, and come to think of it, my Italian sister-in-law or someone taught me “fongool” (which is how I thought it was spelled).

Lynne: Yeah, well, the other thing that comes to mind is Ben Franklin’s “a little security” saying.

By: Lynne T

Lynne T — Tue, 19 Aug 2008 01:15:42 +0000

For the record, the Italians were shape-shifters in WW I too, only then they crossed over from the winning side to the losing side.

By: John F. MacMichael

John F. MacMichael — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:16:09 +0000

With all due respect to your father, I think that history shows that the Italians share the fighting- on-both-sides in WWII dishonors with the French.

And the Soviets, now that I think about it (Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact anyone?).

By: Hugh

Hugh — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 23:08:39 +0000

Meryl, it’s “fungulo”, and it can be accompanied by the appropriate gesture of holding the right upper arm forward, parallel to the floor, the forearm at a 90 deree angle, and making a fist. The palm of the left hand, simultaneously slaps down on the right bicep.

The meaning is quite clear when you see it done. :-D