etymo

The word derives from the Venetian phrase ______ literally meaning "I am your slave". This greeting is analogous to the Latin Servus which is still used in a large section of CentralEastern Europe. The expression was not a literal statement of fact, of course, but rather a perfunctory promise of good will among friends (along the lines "if you ever need my help, count on me"). The Venetian word for "slave", _______, is cognate of the Italian ____ and derives from Latin sclavus.

The greeting expression was eventually shortened to X, lost all its servile connotations and came to be used by speakers of all classes. The word _____ is still used in Venetian and in Lombard as an exclamation of resignation ("Oh, well, never mind!"). A Milanese proverb ______ ("If there is [money], there is; if there isn't, farewell! [there's nothing we can do]").


x?