I think that 'cool' is a starting place, but one has to worry, will it have the
same or similar resonance for a student today that the word has, or had, for
someone who came up in the 50s, 60s, 70s. Maybe reference to an actor or a
performance: Leonardo di Caprio in 'Catch Me If You Can' (or maybe the Mr.
Ripley film -- I haven't seen it), for example. And with a student who really
wants to know, I'd spend a little time with the Italian word, derived
from 'sprezzare,' to show contempt or disdain, or (used reflexively) to neglect
oneself. One big problem with the modern 'cool' behavior pattern is that it's
often the stance of marginal or low-ranking figures in a somewhat messed-up
social order, whereas 'sprezzatura,' as Castiglione understands it, is the
behavior of a social superior affecting disdain for his various advantages in
order to charm those inferior to him.
Jon Quitslund (Geo. Washington U., emeritus)
> I was asked by a student what the English for 'sprezzatura' is. Having
> explained that it was one of those notoriously untranslatable words, it
> struck me that 'cool' comes pretty close. It has the same implications of
> effortless accomplishment, unfazedness, caring deeply about impressing
> people while affecting not to care, etc. But it seems such a
> quintessentially 20th century word that I hesitate to suggest it. Any
> thoughts?
>
> Charlie Butler
>
> "Run mad as often as you chuse, but do not faint!"
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