In April, do not uncover yourself — do not shed your winter clothing too early, because April in Sicily is deceptive. The sun may shine warmly one day and a cold wind from Africa or a late storm arrive the next. Applies broadly to any situation where apparent warmth disguises underlying cold.
Sicilian farmers and fishermen were expert meteorologists by necessity, and their weather proverbs encode genuine empirical knowledge passed down through generations. April is the trickiest month on the island: the sun climbs higher, the days lengthen, the almond and citrus groves bloom magnificently, and the urge to put away wool and take out linen is powerful. But the scirocco can arrive from the Sahara bringing oppressive humid heat one day, and the next a cold tramontana from the north drops the temperature twenty degrees. The coastal fisherman who left harbour in shirtsleeves in the morning might return shivering at sunset. The phrase 'non ti scupriri' — do not uncover yourself — is both literal weather advice and a metaphorical caution: do not relax your defences prematurely, do not declare victory too soon, do not assume the good weather is here to stay.
A seasonal weather proverb encoding the empirical knowledge of Sicilian farmers and fishermen about April's meteorological unreliability. 'Scupriri' = scoprirsi (uncover oneself). Used broadly as a caution against premature celebration or relaxation of defence.
A grandmother stopping a grandchild from putting away their coat
— È caldo, metto via il cappotto. — Di aprili non ti scupriri. Aspetta maggio, allora metti via.
— It is warm, I am putting away my coat. — In April do not uncover yourself. Wait for May, then put it away.
Metaphorically, about a business deal that seemed to be going well
Sembrava tutto risolto ma ancora non era firmato niente. Di aprili non ti scupriri — aspettai prima di festeggiare.
Everything seemed settled but nothing was signed yet. In April do not uncover yourself — I waited before celebrating.
A fisherman explaining his caution about the weather
Il cielo sembrava buono stamattina. Ma di aprili non ti scupriri — non sono uscito troppo al largo.
The sky seemed good this morning. But in April do not uncover yourself — I did not go too far out.
Advising a friend in a new relationship not to rush
È solo il secondo mese. Di aprili non ti scupriri — non sai ancora come è fatto davvero.
It is only the second month. In April do not uncover yourself — you do not yet know what he is really like.