“Pezzonovante” in Sicilian, literally means $1.90. This term usually is applied to persons of importance. The implication in Al Pacino’s reply is that he doesn’t want or need to be famous or important.
Don Corleone: I knew Santino was going to have to go through all this and Fredo... well, Fredo was... But I, I never wanted this for you. I work my whole life, I don't apologize, to take care of my family. And I refused to be a fool dancing on the strings held by all of those big shots. That's my life, I don't apologize for that. But I always thought that when it was your time, that you would be the one to hold the strings. Senator Corleone, Governor Corleone, something.
Michael: Another pezzonovante.
Don Corleone: Well, there wasn't enough time, Michael. There just wasn't enough time.
Michael: We'll get there, Pop. We'll get there.
The term is commonly misunderstood to mean any man in power; however, it is usually used pejoratively. In the Godfather, Michael uses the term to console his father who is upset because he had hoped that his son would achieve legitimate success like that of a Senator or President. Michael uses the term to assure his father that such people just think they are important men but in reality are no better than him.
My wife tells me I should be a Congressman instead of a gangster, but I know that a politician is just another pezzonovante.
English slang loan word from Italian, meaning '"Big Shot", originally from WWII, when the Italians used it for the 90 mm artillery, "Big 90 (mm)". the phrase made popular in the film "The Godfather", when Vito tells his son Michael that he wanted him to be an important person, like a Senator, and Michael responds, "another pezzo-novanta", usually used pejoratively.
Senator Corleone, with his big cars, fancyclothes, and wads of cash is just another pezzonovante
Vito Corleone: I never wanted this for you. ... I thought that when it was your time that you would be the one to hold the strings. Senator Corleone. Governor Corleone. Somethin'.
Nickname given to bales of marijuana thrown overboard or out of airplanes. Origin is reportedly from members of the US Coast Guard in the area of Southern Florida.
A sunburn or suntan focused on the left arm. It is caused by the left side of the body being the only half that gets exposed to sunlight while driving. Presumably, it would be located on the right side of the body in countries where they drive on the left side of the road.
I had a trucker's tan after driving for 10 straight hours on a sunny day.
British slang for a scientist or technical expert, esp . when the speaker is not certain of the expert’s specific field of study. Not necessarily derogatory, but typically used by persons without a technical background. In the US, the equivalent would be “egghead”, “squint”, or “geek.”
Origin of the word is unknown. Started sometime in World War 2. Given the typical evolution of British slang, could easily have started because what these experts did was confusing or “baffling” to the common person.