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srl's Maltese Word Origin Page

I am always fascinated by word origins. Through the kindness of one Karmenu Attard I now have quite a few items on Maltese word origins. Karmenu <karatt@ozemail.com.au> teaches the Maltese language, and lives in Australia. He would like to teach you, send him email! Please Visit Karmenu's website http://www.ozemail.com.au/~karatt/. And enjoy these words! Sa±±a --srl


• Political words
• Sports words
• Vendors' cries
• Baby Talk New!

1. Gimg±a

   (Friday)

   When Malta was under the Arabs, the Arab council which used to govern Malta was called Gemg±a and so the day when this council used to meet used to be called Gemg±a which later on became Gimg±a.
   
   

2. Qiesek wiåå Laskri

   (You look like Lascaris - said to describe a dour man who never smiles or laughs)

   Lascaris was one of the Grandmasters and he decided to forbid women wearing masks during Carnival.
   
   

3. Mejda tal-Qubbajt

   ( A table where they sell nougat during the local festa)

   This saying describes a person who attends all the festas.
   
   

4. Qiesek l-g±ageb tal-presepju

   The g±ageb tal-presepju is a little clay figure which is placed in the crib and he stands there with his mouth wide open in amazement. This expression is used to describe a person who stares at other people
   
   

5. Id-Di u Do

   The Di and Do are the names of two ships which used to moor next to each other. This expression describes two friends who are inseparable.
   
   

6. San Pawl ne±±a l-velenu minn ±alq il-lifg±a u tefg±u f'±alq in-nisa.

   (Saint Paul removed the poison from the mouth of the viper and placed it in the mouth of women)

   It is claimed that Maltese women gossip a lot.
   
   

7. Camilleri

   This is a very common Maltese surname in Malta. It is claimed that in Malta there was a village called ¡al-Milleri. In the olden days most notary publics used to come from Sicily. In Italian the 'h' never stands by itself. So the "¡" in "¡al" was changed to "C" and ¡al-Milleri became Camilleri.
   
   

8. Curmi

   Curmi is another common Maltese surname. Again the word "Curmi" is derived from Qormi. The "Q" doesn't exist in Italian.
   
   

9. Tal-Abjad / Tal-¡alib

   In the olden days, the Maltese used to fast during Lent. These fasting rules were very strict. In those days as well, the farmers used to sell milk in the streets. The farmer used to take his herd of goats. During Lent, the farmer used to cry out "Tal-Abjad" (the white one) instead of "Tal-¡alib"
   
   

10. G±amlu f'bozza

    (literally it means put him in a light bulb)

    The Maltese used this expression to describe a son who is overprotective.
    
    

11. Na±dem fid-dawl

    This has two meanings. It can mean that I work as an electrician or that I work during the day. This expression is normally used by an unemployed person who does not want to reveal that he is unemployed.
    
    

12. In¿omm mal-±ajt

    (literally it means that I support myself against the wall while walking)

    In Maltese when one asks "Ma' min i¿¿omm" it means that he wants to know which political party do you support. A person who doesn't want to reveal his political affiliations would answer "In¿omm mal-±ajt" It's just a pun.
    
    

13. Mela hsiebtni c-cisk?

    (literally it means did you think I'm the cisk?)

    The Cisk is the nickname of a very rich man in Malta who owns a brewery. A Maltese would use this expression if he is asked to give a loan.
    
    

14. Bla flus la tg±annaq u lanqas tbus

    (Without money, you can't kiss nor give hugs)

    This means that you can't do anything without money.
    
    

15. Gahan

    Gahan was a fictitious character who used to take things literally. Gahan means stupid.
    
    

16. Qiesu Toto Tanti

    (He is like Toto Tanti)

    Toto Tanti was a character in a very famous play in Malta. Toto was a child and he wasn't very clever. The part of Toto used to be played by a Maltese actor who resided in Canada. His name was Johnny Catania. He died a few years ago.
    
    

17. Dak mill-ahrax tal-Mellieha.

    (he hails from the Ahrax tal-Mellieha.)

    This expression is used to describe a man who is very ignorant and rude.
    
    

18. G±andha hafna pastizzi

    (She has many cheesecakes)

    This expression is used to describe a woman who has lots of daughters.
    The Maltese pastizzi are pastries similar to triangular turnovers, and they are filled with Ricotta cheese (or sometimes peas) --srl
    
    

19. Qiesek pastizz.

    This means that you are like a pastizz, i.e. useless.
    
    

20. Qiesek pastizz bla haxu

    (You're like a pastizz without any fillling)

    This means that you are useless.
    
    

21. Jibza minn dellu

    (He is afraid of his own shadow)

22. Jieklu l-g±agin	(They eat pasta)
    Saqajhom hoxnin	(Their legs are fat)
    Tal-Victory Kitchen	(Those of the Victory Kitchen)

    The Victory Kitchen or Kitchens were set up during the Second World War to feed the people. There was a lot of hunger during the war.
    
    

23. Ajma!

    (Oh dear)

    This is a very ancient expression. You see in the very olden days, the Maltese used to employ professional criers to mourn the deceased. These professional mourners used to walk behind the dead person and cry out "Ajma".
    
    

Editor's note: Being politically active myself here in the USA, it has been quite interesting getting to know the Maltese political system. They do get into their politics! I wish we had half the voter participation they have.. --srl

1. Tal-maduma

   (of the tile)

   This was used to describe the nationalist party (partit nazzjonalista) because their coat of arms looked like a tile.
   
   

2. tat-torca

   (of the torch)

   This term was used to describe supporters of the Labour Party. This page needs some good images to explain these terms. Also the coins used to change every time the other party came into power. However in the past couple of years this practice has stopped -- symbolic of greater cooperation? --srl
   
   

3. Wiehed, tnejn, tlieta, erbg±a, hamsa, sitta, sebg±a, is-sebg±a punti gewwa.

   (one, two ,three, four,five,six, seven, the seven points are in the bag)

   When Mintoff contested the election before the Independence of Malta in 1964, his manifesto included the seven points (is-sebg±a punti).

   Dom Mintoff is one of the leading politicians in Malta --srl

   
   
4. dg±ajsa ma taqbadx hut
   (a boat which doesn't catch fish),

   xemx ma sahhanx
   ( a sun which doesn't give any warmth),

   bajtra ming±ajr bajtar
   (a prickly pear bush which doesn't give any prickly pears).

   When in 1972, Mintoff was elected by one seat, the Socialists brought about many changes including the Maltese coat of arms. The new coat of arms depicted a Maltese boat, a sun, and a prickly pear bush. The words which I mentioned were said as a disparaging remark by the Opposition (PN) supporters.

   This coat is on the reverse of some Maltese coins, and is also depicted in mosaic tile form outside of the Parliament chambers. The design was chosen from a submission from schoolchildren, which was also used as a disparaging remark. The boat depicted is a 'Luzzu' (click for picture), which is a traditional fishing boat. It has tall sections rising up at the front and back of it, and also painted on eyes - attesting to the ancient Phonecian influence upon Malta. There is especially a lot of prickly pear in Gozo, some say the best grows there. --srl

   
   

5. Bolla balla

   (A stamp, a bullet)

   The stamp is the social security stamp which is paid by all the workers in Malta. When it was raised sharply, those who didn't like it , called a bullet.
   
   

6. Sir Gonzi

   This was a disparaging remark to describe the bishop of Malta ie Monsignor Michael Gonzi
   
   

1. Tal-Ljun

   (of the lion)

   This expression is used to describe supporters of the Valletta Soccer Club. The lion forms part of the coat of arms of the famous soccer club.
   
   

2. Tal-Irish

   (of the Irish)

   This expression is used to describe the Floriana Soccer Club. The reason is that their team jumper consists of green and white stripes. Apparently, so the story goes, in Malta there were many British regiments who had very good soccer teams. One of these belonged to an Irish regiment who used to wear jumpers which consisted of green and white stripes. At the end of the match, the players used to exchange their jumpers and the Floriana soccer players liked them so much that they kept them.
   
   

3. Tal-Hibs

   This is a reference to the Rahal il-Gdid soccer team which is called Hiberenians.
   
   

4. Tal-Ispartans

   Hamrun Spartans
   
   

5. Tal-Wanderers

   Sliema Wanderers
   
   

6. Johnny Walker

   Johnny Walker was a very popular character and he was anxiously awaited by the Valletta soccer fans. During half time Johnny Walker used to come out and try and bent pieces of iron. If he succeeded, the Valletta soccer fans used to believe that their team was going to win.
   
   

7. Jaf jg±um daqs Turu Rizzu

   (He can swim as good as Turu Rizzu)

   Turu Rizzu was a very famous waterpolo player. However, he is remembered for the fact that he tried to swim between Malta and Sicily. He had to abandon his attempt due to inclement weather.
   
   

1. Hajjin, Hajjin

   (Alive, Alive)

   The seller of fish.
   
   

2. Tal-Indi

   (Coconuts)

   This fellow used to park his van near the church of Õzira and he used to sell biscuits which used to be covered with coconut flakes.
   
   

3. Zabbarija Hawn

   (The woman from Zabbar is here)

   This woman used to carry a huge bucket on her head and she used to sell fresh capers.
   
   

4. Tal-Gilati

   (Icecream)

   Charlie tal-Gelati (Charles the Icecream man) had a little cart pulled by a donkey and he used to go round selling icecream.
   
   

5. Pawlu Hawn

   (Paul is here)

   Pawlu was a black fellow who was adopted from North Africa. He used sell bread rolls.
   
   

6. Tal-Pitrolju

   The man who used to sell paraffin. Many Maltese used to use paraffin stoves (spiritieri).

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