Umarell

[David Myer]

My friend Sharon, who is a closet user of this site, brought to my attention this beauty of a word.

The Wikipedia entry https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/umarell on Umarell shows that there is some fun still to be had in this world - well, in Bologna anyway.

[Slava]

I wonder what construction workers in various countries call these kinds of people. "Sidewalk Managers" would be a good one, perhaps. I suppose most real ones wouldn't be printable here, though.

[bbeeton]

The term "sidewalk supervisor" has been around for a long time, although it has never (to my knowledge) been limited to retirees. In less contagious times, I've walked past walls obscuring construction sites that had intentional openings clearly labeled for the benefit of such kibitzers.

I've often taken advantage of these when opportunity and time permitted. It's fun watching others dig holes.

[Dr. Goodword]

This word hasn't even been borrowed yet; it's still Italian. I couldn't find it in any dictionary, its only in Wikipedia.

[David Myer]

Surely, if it is real enough to make it into Wikipedia, it has sufficient existence to qualify for the Agora?

[Dr. Goodword]

Anyone at anytime for any reason can supply entries to Wikipedia. I'm a little more picayune.

[bbeeton]

Dear Dr. Goodword,
By your own entry for "picayune", this word carries a strong implication of triviality, rather than the fussiness that seems to be intended here, even though the latter meaning is also given. (But it *does* sound more impressive.)