Bicycle Thieves

Bicycle Thieves Glossary

Bricklayer

A craftsman who build walls, houses, and other structures with bricks

Italian lira

The official currency of Italy between 1861 and 2002

Daft

Silly, foolish

Rita Hayworth

American actress and dancer, hugely popular in the 1940s

Fides

The brand name on Antonio's bicycle, the Italian word for "faith"

Scoundrel

A dishonest, villainous, or unscrupulous person

Nick

Jail, prison, or a police station; bad health or condition; to steal

Bloke

A regular man or fellow

Nosy parker

An overly inquisitive, prying person

Modena

A city in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region best known for its balsamic vinegar, opera, and Ferrari and Lamborghini sports cars

Trattoria

An Italian-style eating establishment that is more formal than an osteria and less formal than a ristorante. At trattorias, service is usually casual, printed menus are generally unavailable, prices are low, and the emphasis is on stable clientele rather than on sophisticated, haute food.

Porta Portese

An ancient city gate and the cite of one of Rome's most popular markets

"Cat got your tongue?"

An expression used when someone is unable to speak or articulate themselves

Brothel

A house where men visit and have sex with prostitutes

Nutter

A psychotic person

Defamation

Damaging an individual's reputation; slander or libel

"Thank your lucky stars!"

An expression of gratefulness for a beneficial outcome in a situation that might otherwise have gone badly

Post World War II Rome

Italy had to pay large sums of money for the damage it generated during the war, which resulted in widespread poverty, unemployment, and poor economic conditions for the working class

Genuflecting

The brief lowering of one's body by bending one knee to the ground, typically in worship or as a sign of respect

Making the sign of the cross

A common Catholic gesture that symbolically reaffirms two essential Christian doctrines: The Holy Trinity and humanity's salvation through the passion of Christ.