Etymologically
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cazzata

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Pronunciation

  • /katˈt͡sa.ta/[1]

Forms

cazzata f (plural cazzate)[1]

Etymology

It is from Italian cazzo + -ata.[2][3][4][1] The origin of cazzo is disputed: Prati, Nocentini and the LEI derive it from Old Italian cazza (“ladle”), with a change of gender, while Crevatin proposed a form *ocazzo from the word for a gander.[4][5]

Earliest recorded meaning

The word is first recorded in 1964, as a vulgar word for something stupid that is said or done.[2][3][6][7]

Semantic evolution

From the start the word covered both a stupid act or remark and a trifle, something of no importance or very easy.[2][8] It is also used for a botched or worthless product, such as a bad film or book, and for a reckless act.[3][6][9] Sparare cazzate is to talk nonsense or tell tall stories.[9]

An older, unrelated cazzata “a blow with a ladle”, from cazza “ladle”, is recorded in dictionaries from Oudin (1640) to Veneroni (1681).[5]

Timeline

  • 1640 – Oudin's dictionary records cazzata “a blow with a ladle”.[5]
  • 1964 – Cazzata “stupid thing” is first recorded.[2][3][4]

Meanings

Noun

  1. (vulgar) A stupid act or remark; nonsense, bullshit: Smettila di raccontare cazzate.[2][3][1]
  2. (vulgar) A serious blunder: Ho fatto una cazzata a lasciare quel lavoro.[3][6][7]
  3. (vulgar) A trifle; something very easy: Montare lo scaffale è stata una cazzata.[2][7][1]
  4. (vulgar) A worthless, badly made product: Quel programma è una cazzata.[3][6]
  • cazzo
  • cavolata
  • stupidaggine

Usage notes

Milder synonyms are stupidaggine, sciocchezza and cavolata.[2][6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b c d e f g De Mauro, Tullio (ed.) (2003), Grande dizionario italiano dell'uso, CD-ROM version 2.0, Torino: UTET
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Devoto, Giacomo; Oli, Gian Carlo; Serianni, Luca; Trifone, Maurizio (2026), Nuovo Devoto–Oli: il vocabolario dell'italiano contemporaneo, digital ed., Milano: Le Monnier
  4. ^ a b c Nocentini, Alberto; Parenti, Alessandro (2010), l'Etimologico: vocabolario della lingua italiana, Firenze: Le Monnier
  5. ^ a b c Pfister, Max; Schweickard, Wolfgang; Prifti, Elton (eds.) (1979–), Lessico Etimologico Italiano, Wiesbaden: Reichert; online at lei-digitale.it, p. 13, 1
  6. ^ a b c d e Sabatini, Francesco; Coletti, Vittorio; Manfredini, Manuela (2026), Dizionario italiano Sabatini Coletti, digital ed., Milano: Sansoni / Rizzoli Larousse
  7. ^ a b c Zingarelli, Nicola (2009), Lo Zingarelli 2010: vocabolario della lingua italiana, Bologna: Zanichelli
  8. ^ Battaglia, Salvatore; Bàrberi Squarotti, Giorgio (1961–2002), Grande dizionario della lingua italiana, 21 vols., Torino: UTET; digital ed. Accademia della Crusca
  9. ^ a b Vocabolario della lingua italiana Treccani (2011), Roma: Istituto della Enciclopedia Italiana