Umarell

Uncommon card · No. 89164

Umarell (Italian spelling of the Bolognese Emilian word umarèl, Emilian pronunciation: [umaˈrɛːl]; plural umarelli) are men of retirement age who spend their time watching construction sites, especially roadworks – stereotypically with hands clasped behind their back and offering unrequested advice. Its literal meaning is "little man" (also umaréin). The term is employed as lighthearted mockery or self-deprecation. The modern term was popularised in 2005 by local writer Danilo Masotti through three books and an associated blog. The word was included in the Italian Zingarelli dictionary in 2021 and in 2024 was included by the Language Council of Sweden in the annual list of new Swedish words – the Språkrådets nyordslista.

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