In the Neapolitan dialect, there are words that have a unique energy, capable of changing meaning depending on the context, the tone, and even the gaze of the person who pronounces them.
One of these is undoubtedly * “Cazz ”**.

In Italian, it's perceived as a swear word, but in Naples, it takes on a much broader meaning: it becomes an exclamation, a refrain, a catchphrase that accompanies everyday life. It's the symbol of the expressive power of a language that needs no circumlocution to reach straight to the heart.

A Thousand Shades of "Cazz*"

The beauty of the term lies in its versatility. A single word can express:

• Amazement or bewilderment: “What the hell does he know?” (I don't know).

• Indifference or disinterest: “Who the fuck cares?”

• Difficulty: “Mmó so' cazz'” (the situation is complicated).

• Irony or sarcasm: “Thank you 'oh shit'” (all obvious!).

• Annoyance or exasperation: “Ecchè cazz'” – or “Wuaaah! Ecchè cacacazz' that yes!” .

And again: it can be used to define someone as stubborn ( “You have a stupid ass” ), to silence someone who gets in the way ( “You do your own damned ass” ), or to describe the impossibility of doing anything else ( “And let's get stuck in the shit” ).

One word, one world

Behind every expression lies a slice of Neapolitan daily life: folk wisdom, irony, anger, but also lightheartedness. It's a sign of how dialect can transform even a seemingly "big" word into a universal language, capable of eliciting a smile, easing difficult times, or forcefully expressing what wouldn't have the same power in Italian.

Naples in my mind

With this column, we want to tell the story of Naples starting with words: authentic, direct, and rich in history.
“Cazz ” is not just a term: it is a symbol of Neapolitan creativity and expressiveness. *