Italian Word of the Day: Gondoliere

Meaning: Gondolier

Part of Speech: noun

Translation: The gondolier sings while navigating the canals of Venice.

Context: Il gondoliere canta mentre naviga i canali di Venezia.

Cultural nugget: The profession of gondoliere is steeped in tradition and is historically passed down from father to son. To become a licensed gondolier in Venice, one must complete extensive training and pass a rigorous exam that includes Venetian history, foreign language skills, and of course, rowing techniques. Until 2010, this profession was exclusively male.