Glossary entry (derived from question below)
Italian term or phrase:
vintage
English translation:
20th century vintage
- The asker opted for community grading. The question was closed on 2010-07-16 19:54:09 based on peer agreement (or, if there were too few peer comments, asker preference.)
Italian term
United Kingdom
Architecture, design, technical, etc.
Native in: English (Variant: British) 
Works in: Italian to English
vintage
I always have trouble with "vintage" in Italian. Please don't suggest "antique" or "bric-à-brac". It means second-hand stuff from the 20th. century that isn't as valuable or famous as "modernariato", but not as worthless as the junk you might find from a rigattiere. Stylish in a "rediscovered" way (like old metal filing cabinets): retro, nostalgic, but not "designery". I've searched in vain for a long time for a single English word that is the equivalent of this- and here it is again in something I'm working on. Any suggestions? Is there one word for this in English?
| 4 +12 | vintage |
David Russi
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| 3 | heritage |
Cedric Randolph
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| 3 | period |
cynthiatesser
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| 3 | classic (see below) |
Vincent Lemma
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| 2 | collectable / collectible |
Colin Rowe
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| decor in vogue |
Lucrezia Amedeo
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Non-PRO (1): Fabrizio Zambuto
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Proposed translations
United States
30+ years, stopped counting...
Native in: English 
, Spanish
Works in: English to Spanish, Spanish to English
vintage
1 a (1) : of or relating to a vintage *prepared for the vintage activities in the vineyards* (2) : unblended and dated with the year of vintage *a vintage wine* — compare NONVINTAGE b : having a fine mellowed character *drink a health in vintage vodka* *turning leaves make fall a vintage season* c : of old, recognized, and enduring interest, importance, or quality : CLASSIC, VENERABLE *vintage comedy from the silent era— Arthur Knight* *collectors who T cherish vintage automobiles— Beverly Kelley* *an album of vintage tunes— Wilder Hobson*
2 a : marked by an advanced age : dating from the past : OLD, ARCHAIC *a vintage actress but still thin and chic— Janet Flanner* *failing to answer seventy-two vintage traffic tickets— Robert Rice* b : not fashionable or up-to-date : OLD-FASHIONED, OUTMODED *vintage plays of no merit whatsoever— Wolcott Gibbs* *a rumpled tweed suit of vintage cut— Jacob Hay*
3 : of the best and most characteristic : having the typical and most admirable characteristics — used with a proper noun *vintage Shaw: a wise and winning comedy, beautifully played— Time* *seemed to be fine T but not absolutely first-rate vintage Old Vic— Mollie Panter-Downes*
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cynthiatesser
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philgoddard
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Fabrizio Zambuto
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Sonia Hill
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Gian
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texjax DDS PhD
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Kate Chaffer
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Jim Tucker (X)
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Colin Ryan (X)
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Magda P.
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Mr Murray (X)
: I find they're used similarly in English and Italian - but it's true, the definition is not so clear
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Dana Rinaldi
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Italy
Reliable, punctual and accurate
Native in: English (Variants: US, UK) , Italian
Works in: Italian to English
heritage
Germany
Par Excellence Translations
Native in: English (Variant: British)
Works in: German to English, French to English, Italian to English, and 3 more.
collectable / collectible
Spontaneously, I would also have opted for "vintage".
However, given your description of what you are looking for, I wondered whether "collecta/ible" might conceivably work.
On googling both options, I was amused to find that they frequently occur together with "vintage"!!
A catalogue of usable and collectable fishing tackle of yesterday.
Buy and collect collectible vintage and antique advertising, signs, and memorabilia at Collectics Antiques & Collectibles, the top collecting resource for ...
| "Collectible" would be good, except that the owner has already *collected* it :) - so that doesn't work !!! |
Italy
Knowledge makes the difference
Native in: Italian (Variant: Standard-Italy)
Works in: English to Italian, French to Italian, Italian
period
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Note added at 21 mins (2010-07-13 15:39:13 GMT)
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What about "rétro"?
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Note added at 22 mins (2010-07-13 15:40:33 GMT)
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http://www.thevintagepeddler.com/Retro_Lighting.html
| But those things on that website are horrible, Cynthia! What I mean is 20th. century anonymous industrially produced items that consciously or often unconsciously reflect the design tastes of their time. That's what "vintage" means in Italian, but it isn't what "vintage" means in English. |
| Yes, I used retro in my own original question but then, in Italian the word "retro" is also used and has a subtly different meaning from "vintage"..... |
Italy
Highly experienced technical translator
Native in: English , Italian
Works in: Italian to English, English to Italian
classic (see below)
I was leaning towards "old-school", but that is a bit general, I presume.
Classic calls to mind the usual crystal tear drop form that tosses prismatic reflections around a room.
Further precision could be obtained if there were a photo.
I, myself, prefer art-deco.
Reference comments
Discussion
Another distinction is that "vintage" objects are still usable, while "antiques" are not necessarily so
Examples: "vintage bicycles" from the great years of the 1970s, or "vintage watches" from WWI to the 1970s or so.
www.idealhomemagazine.co.uk/.../foo_article_127176.html - Cached