Terrone

Terrone (Italian pronunciation: [terˈroːne]) is a term of the Italian language, used by the inhabitants of northern and central Italy as derogatory to designate an inhabitant of southern Italy.

The term comes from the word "terra" (Italian for land) and it was historically used, after the unification of Italy, to describe the landlords of the former Kingdom of the Two Sicilies, highlighting the fact that they profited from a land property (the so-called "latifondo") without working. This epithet is often associated with negative personal characteristics, such as laziness and ignorance. Similarly, especially in some slang, the term has taken on the meaning of peasant or rude person.

In addition, the term is generally associated with certain somatic and physical traits, such as olive skin, short stature, high cheeks, and other characteristics historically predominant in the south of Italy.