collottola

Italian

Etymology

Derived from collo (“neck”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /kolˈlɔt.to.la/, [kol̺ˈl̺ɔt̪t̪ol̺ä]
• Hyphenation: col‧lòt‧to‧la

Noun

collottola f (plural collottole)

1. scruff of the neck
2. (metonymically) fat, weight

   far(e) (la) collottola ― to gain weight

   l'erba non fa collottola (proverb)

   just eating vegetables won't fill you up

   (literally, “grass does not make fat”)

3. (fossil word) life

   perdere la collottola ― to lose one's life

   portare in salvo la collottola ― to save one's life