A new year brings good cheer—at least, that’s everyone’s hope.
Speaking of cheers, a colleague of mine pointed out a rather odd irony in Stanley Tucci’s recent series in Italy. Whenever dining with Italians, he would often use that very word—”Cheers!”— while hoisting a glass of wine. Yet that is a Middle English word, something Tucci is no doubt used to shouting having lived in London for many years.
The Italians, in fact, have a whole plethora of words or expressions for “cheers,” from Cent’anni (100 years) and Cin Cin (the phonetic sound of glasses tinkling together) to Salute (Good health) and Un brindisi (the word itself for “a toast”).
Tucci, a proud Italian American, should have known better than to revert to Anglo culture while “saluting” the culture of his ancestors.
Similarly, the Feast of the Seven Fishes on Christmas Eve is now becoming an obsession with non-Italians in America. Apparently, the mention of it on the cable series The Bear a few years ago was the tipping point.
(Yet another example, btw, that people DO believe what they see on movies and TV shows.)
Italian Americans themselves still aren’t clear about the origin of serving seven fish dishes the night before Christmas. It appears to be of southern Italian origin. Most Italians, in Italy, have really never heard of it.
And why “seven?” Does this refer to the Seven Nights between Christmas and New Year’s? The Seven Catholic sacraments? The Seven Deadly Sins? (There is certainly one deadly sin most Italians agree on everywhere: never put cheese on fish—ever!). No one really knows. The debates continue.
Meanwhile, I came across an article involving more sevens—in this case, seven things Italians (in Italy) do during New Year’s. Some are extreme, such as tossing furniture out the window. Others are much more moda (fashionable), such as the wearing of red clothing.
Check out the link below to read about the other five.
Final comment: Italians also have a plethora of expressions via ringing in the new year: Buon Anno, Buon Capodanno, Felice Anno Nuovo, etc. They all mean the same thing: Happy New Year! -BDC
The Seven Fish Vigil dinner is something new in term of the name. Growing up (from Southern Italian Grandparents and parents) the “Seven Fishes Dinner” was never labeled. You sat down to dinner had fishes of whatever variety were on the table, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, etc. and that was it. it was never that I am going to Grandpa’s or Grandma’s for the Seven Fish dinner or Mom and Dad’s for the Seven Fish dinner. that term is Nouveau! and yuppyish.
VINCE: Yes, thanks. As I somewhat alluded, the word may have been foisted down via non-Italians. When I was younger and my friends and family did have such feasts, no one ever called it the Feast of the Seven Fishes, probably because there were also many pasta dishes next to the fish ones. In any event, the fish were delicious.
I grew up in Queens, New York and never heard of the “Seven Fishhes” story until several years ago. My mother cooked fish by ton and several varieties. And pasta! We were never skinny…well, okay, I wasn’t skinny. 🙂
Happy Healthy New Year to all. God bless.
ANGELA: You as well!