cazzata Italian · revision 38914

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=1964}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * /katˈt͡sa.ta/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Forms==

+ '''cazzata''' ''f'' (plural cazzate)^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[af|it|cazzo|-ata]].^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Nocentini 2010)^(Wiktionary) The origin of [[cazzo]] is disputed: Prati, Nocentini and the LEI derive it from [[roa-oit|cazza|t=ladle]], with a change of gender, while Crevatin proposed a form [[m|roa-oit|*ocazzo]] from the word for a gander.^(Nocentini 2010)^(LEI|13, 1)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The word is first recorded in 1964, as a vulgar word for something stupid that is said or done.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ From the start the word covered both a stupid act or remark and a trifle, something of no importance or very easy.^(GRADIT 2003)^(GDLI) It is also used for a botched or worthless product, such as a bad film or book, and for a reckless act.^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Treccani 2011) ''Sparare cazzate'' is to talk nonsense or tell tall stories.^(Treccani 2011)

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+ An older, unrelated ''cazzata'' “a blow with a ladle”, from ''cazza'' “ladle”, is recorded in dictionaries from Oudin (1640) to Veneroni (1681).^(LEI|13, 1)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1640 – Oudin's dictionary records ''cazzata'' “a blow with a ladle”.^(LEI|13, 1)

+ * 1964 – ''Cazzata'' “stupid thing” is first recorded.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Nocentini 2010)

+

+ ==Meanings==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(vulgar)'' A stupid act or remark; [[m|en|nonsense]], [[m|en|bullshit]]: ''Smettila di raccontare cazzate.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(vulgar)'' A serious [[m|en|blunder]]: ''Ho fatto una cazzata a lasciare quel lavoro.''^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)^(Zingarelli 2010)

+ # ''(vulgar)'' A trifle; something very easy: ''Montare lo scaffale è stata una cazzata.''^(GRADIT 2003)^(Zingarelli 2010)^(Wiktionary)

+ # ''(vulgar)'' A worthless, badly made product: ''Quel programma è una cazzata.''^(Devoto–Oli 2026)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[cazzo]]

+ * [[cavolata]]

+ * [[stupidaggine]]

+

+ ==Usage notes==

+ Milder synonyms are ''stupidaggine'', ''sciocchezza'' and ''cavolata''.^(GRADIT 2003)^(Sabatini–Coletti 2026)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}