Carlo Codega

Expression used in northern Italy: An archetypal proper name unrelated to a person actually existed. It is used when willing to emphasize the obsoleteness and old age of any kind of object, mostly in rhetorical questions, where it is inquired whether a specific object, due to its old age, is the one who was formerly used or owned by Carlo Codega.

The origin of this expression is unknown, some claim that it might have developed in Milan after the 17th century: Codega was the nickname for the servants who, helped by a lantern, guided rich and nobles at night through the dark streets of Milan, at a time when the city yet wasn't electrically lit up. With the coming of electricity it became useless to require the help of a codega. Here would lie the connection between the proper name and an obsolete action or object.

Carlo: Yo Mario, have you already seen my new phone?
Mario: WTF dude, it doesn't even have a touch screen. Is this Carlo Codega's phone?

-----other context-----

* at the historical weapons exhibition*
dad: look Piero! This was Carlo Codega's rifle!
son: Carlo Codega? Who is this guy?
dad: Nobody, it's just... oh nevermind. Look! There is also a musket over there!
son: cool!

Carlo Codega by Sigurth Fafnirsbunny March 8, 2022