Italians on Italians
Beyond Toscano

A reputation captured in words

A reputation captured in words
Some people’s bad reputations precede them, others continue to tarnish their good name long after they’ve gone. One such group of people, were those known as the Michelasso, Italians who made pilgrimages to the sanctuary of San Michele. These travelers are forever immortalized in the saying “fare la vita di Michelasso”, which literally translates as ‘making the life of Michelasso’. 
 
Today, it’s used as an insulting way to talk about someone who is lazy, and avoids work and commitment. Legend has it, the pilgrims to San Michele did a little more than pay respects to the saints at the sanctuary. During their visit, they’d overindulge in drinking, eating and merriment, becoming so taken with their new hedonistic lifestyle that they stuck with it, just like the saying has stuck with them.