Common Italian expression
| Pronunciation | |
| Literal translation | To laugh under your mustache |
| English translation | To laugh under your breath, to snicker |
| Meaning | Quietly laughing to oneself or smirking at something amusing without showing it openly |
Examples
| Perché stai ridendo sotto i baffi? | Why are you laughing under your breath? |
| I suoi eccessi di rabbia non mi fanno un baffo. | His outbursts of anger don’t baffle me. |
Where does this idiom come from?
The origin of this expression is uncertain. Some people say it can’t be as old as the ancient Romans, because they disapproved of a mustache. Others say it must come from populations that were fond of mustaches, such as the Lombards or the Byzantines. Either way, a mustache and beard (barba) can hide your mouth movements and make it easier for you to laugh under your breath!
Related lessons
- ridere (to laugh)
- baffi (mustache)
- sotto (preposition)
- prepositions
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