The acronym A.U.F.O. has nothing to do with aliens or UFOs. It is an ancient Italian expression used during the Middle Ages for big construction projects like cathedrals.
In the past, building materials like marble and wood were very expensive because of high taxes. However, materials used to build famous cathedrals (like those in Rome, Milan, or Florence) were tax-free. To show that these materials didn’t need to pay duties, officials marked them with Latin acronyms:
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In Rome: A.U.F. (Ad Urbis Fabricam) – “For the City’s Works.”
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In Milan: Ad UFA (Ad Usum Fabricae Ambrosianae) – “For the use of the Cathedral.”
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In Florence: A.U.F.O. (Ad Usum Florentinae Operae) – “For the use of the Florentine Works.”
Because these goods traveled for free without paying taxes, the expression “a ufo” entered the Italian language. Today, Italians still use it to describe something obtained for free or at someone else’s expense.
