Casualnoun
salame
dummy, clumsy oaf
Literal Translation
"salami (the cured meat)"
Formal Equivalent
maldestro
Examples in Context
"Che salame! Ho rovesciato il caffè sulla tastiera."
"What a klutz! I spilled coffee on the keyboard."
"Non essere un salame, apri gli occhi quando cammini!"
"Don't be a dummy, watch where you're walking!"
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Cultural Note
Calling someone a 'salame' is quintessentially Italian — turning a beloved food into a mild insult. It suggests someone is as bright or graceful as a log of cured meat: stiff, clumsy, or oblivious. It's almost impossible to say this word angrily — it always comes out playful. Very common among friends and family.
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