The expression “Secco allampanato” is used to describe a person who is extremely thin, tall, and gaunt.
The Visual Origin
The term derives from “lampana,” an ancient oil lamp that used to hang from the ceilings of churches and palaces. These lamps were characterized by very long, slender, and thin metal frames.
The Meaning
Comparing a person to a lampana emphasizes excessive, almost skeletal thinness that makes the figure appear elongated and somewhat spectral. It is a figurative way of speaking that transforms a physical trait into an almost comic or theatrical image.
