se, lallero

Italian

Etymology

The first element being a dialectal variant of sì (“yes”), and the second one an onomatopoeia used for mocking the person's sincerity (compare trallallero, also used for mocking).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /ˈse (..) lalˈle.ro/ (pronounced with a pause between the words)

Interjection

se, lallero

  1. (colloquial, Roman) yeah, right; yeah, sure; sure thing (in an ironic fashion):
    1. used to express incredulity in response to an apparent lie
      Guarda che quando ero giovane ero fortissimo a pallacanestro, battevo tutti. – Se, lallero!
      When I was young I was very good at basket, you know? I always won. – Yeah, lallero!
    2. used to imply that some task is impossible in response to being requested to perform it
      Se la metro è chiusa ci possiamo anche andare a piedi, eh. – Se, lallero! Sto in ciavatte io!
      If the metro is closed we can still go there on foot, you know. – Yeah, lallero! I'm wearing crocs!
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