Bufala

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of large, river-dwelling animal known for its strength and ability to thrive in wet environments
2. a domesticated subspecies often utilized for milk and meat production
3. an important cultural symbol in various regions, particularly in Mediterranean cuisines and agriculture

Etymology: Ancient Greek "boubalos" meant a wild ox or antelope, and Latin took it as "bubalus". The Italian "bufalo" descends from that Latin form, and this word is its feminine, the female animal that Italian farmers have long kept for her milk. The most surprising twist is modern Italian slang. The feminine noun now also means a hoax or fake news story, as in "è una bufala" ("it's a load of nonsense"). The slang sense has spread widely in Italian media since the 2010s. Its exact link to the animal is uncertain, though it is often assumed to reflect the beast's supposed gullibility. In English, the term mostly arrives through Italian food, especially "mozzarella di bufala", a cheese made from water buffalo milk. English speakers rarely meet the animal under this name, which is why the cheese is usually the only sense they know.

Synonyms: buffalo, water buffalo