In Italy, there isn’t a word as typical of Summer as tormentone (tohr-mehn-toh-nai). Our dictionaries say the word, which comes from the verb tormentare (to torment, to plague) and began being used commonly in the early ‘80s.  Tormentone is something that is so popular, so common and widespread to turn into  a torment. And quite a big one at that, as the augmentative ending -one testifies. 

But why is tormentone such a Summer word, you may ask. Quite simple: in Italy, there is nothing as typical of the hot season as its tormentone estivo, the song you hear constantly and everywhere, from June to September.  Radio? Check. Popular ice cream TV commercials? Check. Beach  Clubs? Check. A proper Summer tormentone gets into your head and you don’t even notice it: you find yourself singing it or whistling it while taking your morning shower without having listened to it on Spotify once.