Recently this space explained that the term GTO—as in Pontiac GTO—was an Italian acronym for the phrase "Gran Turismo Omologato." Even more fascinating, Wordsmith points out that omologato comes from the verb homologate. Etymologically, it's from Latin homologare (to agree); from Greek homologein (to agree or allow). The verb—omologare in Italian—means: "to register a specific model of a motor vehicle to make it eligible to take part in a racing competition."

According to Adnkronos International, the first 'official' copies in the Italian language of the Islamic holy book, the Koran, will be published in the Saudi Arabian city of Medina next year. "Compared to the previous translation that sold thousands of copies in Italy, the Saudi version will have fewer annotations, and the Italian translation will also contain the original Arabic equivalent," according to Hamza Piccardo, former secretary of one of Italy's largest Muslim groups, UCOII.

Another Italian-centric language is now threatened with extinction. This time, it's Italiese—Toronto Italian. According to the Toronto Star, in "Say Arriverderci to the Basimento," "...so many Italians immigrated here [Toronto] after World War II that Toronto became, by the mid-1960s, the largest Italian city outside of Italy...and in time roughly 500,000 people in Greater Toronto were speaking a new tongue, Italiese."

But according to the article, "...Italiese is destined to die within a generation or two, its need and usefulness evaporating," a victim of globalization and cultural homogenization. That's why the Frank Iacobucci Centre for Italian Canadian Studies at the University of Toronto has been compiling a record of Italiese before its inevitable passing. The Centre has even compiled an Italiese dictionary.

Dante Alighieri, in his epic poem La Divina Commedia, sets forth i sette peccati capitali (the seven deadly sins) as follows:

• luxuria (extravagance)
• gula (gluttony)
• avaritia (avarice/greed)
• acedia (acedia/discouragement)
• ira (wrath)
• invidia (envy)
• superbia (pride)