The expression “Rubare il fumo alle schiacciate” (literally “To steal the smoke/steam from the focaccia”) is a paradoxical hyperbole used to describe someone with almost supernatural cunning.
The Meaning
The “schiacciata” (the typical Tuscan salty focaccia) gives off steam when it is freshly baked. Steam is intangible, vanishes in an instant, and has no material value. Being able to “steal” even that means being so skilled, fast, and shrewd that you can snatch the impossible.
The Two Nuances:
-
Admiration: It is used for someone who is incredibly sharp and capable of taking advantage of even the smallest situation.
-
Criticism: It describes a person who is greedy or dishonest—someone so “thievish” that they wouldn’t even spare the steam coming out of the oven.
