Umarell (Italian spelling of the Bolognese Emilian word umarèl, Emilian pronunciation: [umaˈrɛːl]; plural umarî) are men of retirement age who spend their time watching construction sites, especially roadworks – stereotypically with hands clasped behind their back and offering unrequested advice to the workers.[1] Its literal meaning is "little man" (also umaréin).[2] The term is employed as lighthearted mockery or self-deprecation.

all 4 comments

sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] 3 points 9 months ago (2 children)

how did you find this article?

  • source
  • hideshow 2 child comments
  • [–] 3 points 9 months ago

    🤣

    now i know what to call them. Article is translated to many languages; must be pandemic

  • source
  • 3 comments in c/wikipedia@lemmy.world view that post
    [–] 10 points 11 months ago (1 child)

    Instantly recognisable as Bologna. Such a cool city, that construction is still ongoing last I checked.

  • source
  • hideshow 1 child comment
  • [–] 9 points 11 months ago

    In 2015, the city of Riccione, approximately 130 kilometres (80 miles) southeast of Bologna, allocated an €11,000 budget to pay a wage to umarells to oversee worksites in the city – counting the number of trucks in and out to ensure materials were delivered/removed according to the receipts, and guarding against theft when the site was otherwise unattended. The town of San Lazzaro di Savena, 6 km (3½ mi) to the South-East of Bologna, awarded the "Umarell of the year" prize to a local resident, Franco Bonini.

  • source