noun
General Slang
Fortuna
/fɔːˈtjuːnə/ · noun · slang
Polari for fortune or luck — a hopeful word from Romance roots.
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Definitions
1
Used in well-wishing or to comment on a stroke of good or bad luck.
“Bona fortuna, dear — you'll need it tonight.”
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2
Reflects the fairground and circus heritage of Parlyaree, where fortune-telling and chance were part of daily life.
“The palone told fortunas at the fair and spoke fluent Polari.”
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3
In Polari, fortune, luck or fate. Directly from Italian 'fortuna' (luck), one of the cant's many Romance borrowings via Parlyaree.
“A bit of fortuna and we'll make it home safe.”
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Fortuna In A Sentence
It was pure fortuna the charpering omi looked the other way.
May fortuna smile on every omi-palone here tonight.
He trusted his fortuna more than his common sense.
Origin & Usage
Polari/Parlyaree of 19th- and 20th-century Britain; 'fortuna' is borrowed straight from Italian 'fortuna' (luck), reflecting the travelling-fair roots catalogued by Paul Baker.
Variants
fortune
People Also Ask
What does fortuna mean in Polari?
It means fortune, luck or fate.
Where does fortuna come from?
Directly from Italian 'fortuna' (luck), borrowed through Parlyaree.
How was fortuna used?
In well-wishing, like 'bona fortuna', and to comment on luck good or bad.
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