passaparola

Italian

Etymology

From passa (“pass”, second person singular imperative of passare) +‎ parola (“word”).

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˌpas.sa.paˈrɔ.la/
• Hyphenation: pas‧sa‧pa‧rò‧la

Noun

passaparola m (uncountable)

1. (military) An order, repeated in a low voice, from one soldier to another in a series.
2. (by extension) word of mouth, grapevine (spontaneous verbal communication among a group of people)

Coordinate terms

• telefono senza fili (“Chinese whispers”)

Related terms

• passare parola (“to pass the word”)