Umarell Bolognese slang term Umarell (Italian pronunciation: rel]; modern revisitation of the Bolognese dialect word umarel [uma're:!]) is a folk term in Bologna referring specifically to men of retirement age who pass the time watching construction sites, especially roadworks - stereotypically with hands clasped behind their back and offering unwanted advice." Its literal meaning is "little man" (also umarin) sometimes in association with zdaura (or Zdaura [Sdaura}) referring to an umarell's wife. The term is employed as lighthearted mockery or self deprecation. Umarelis observing re paving al the corner of Palazzo Re Enzo and via Rizzoli, Bologna The modern term was popularised in 2005 by local writer Danilo Masotti through two books and an associated blog in December 2020, the word was included in the Zingarelli dictionary. Instances of use In 2015, the city of Riccione, approximately 130 kilometres (80 miles) southeast of Bologna, allocated an 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 according to the receipts, and guard against theft when the site was otherwise unattended. The town of San Lazzaro di Savena, 6 km (3'/ mi) to the South-East of Bologna, awarded the "Umarell of the year" prize to a local resident, Franco Bonini. In 2016, the local cultural association Succede solo a Bologna ["It only happens in Bologna'] XA TT = Save Language Find in article Theme Contents