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Hi guys, I was recently watching an episode from Happy Days (I am from Italy) and one of the characters was using the expression "Nada, zipperoni" to formulate a negative answer. I know about "nada" but never heard of "zipperoni", anybody can help me?
It must be an old saying. I have never heard that expression used.
It's a modified form of zip meaning nothing:
zip - Dictionary definition and pronunciation - Yahoo! Education
Thanks a lot, now it makes sense!
Can you also tell me if it is customary to use the suffix "eroni" as in "zipperoni"; does it belong to a particular slang and is it often used to modify words?
*just an assistant ESL teacher
I have only heard it pronounced with a long u sound, "-erooni".
It's not very common, but it is used here and there.
I only hear it or use it when I am joking around with friends or my husband.
ex: "You are correcterooni."
-Erooni; -Eroony from The Concise New Partridge Dictionary of Slang and Unconventional English | BookRags.com
:-)
I see, in fact the context in which it was used was ironical (like using "nada" as a negative answer). Thanks a lot for your replies!
Bear in mind that "Happy Days" is 30-40 years old and not the best source for keeping up to date on slang.
I too have only heard this with the double "o" long vowel sound, "zipperooni".
I know that Happy Days is not recent, but I am a big fan :-).
Can you tell me exactly how you would pronounce "zipperooni" with a long oo (phonetic transcription if you can or a common word that rhymes with it). Thanks a lot!
Long "oo" sound, boo, goo, who.Quote:
Originally Posted by chobin75
Now it's clear.
Thanks!