During this new mini-series, OhMyMalta will be exploring the array of jobs that laced the Maltese islands just a few decades ago. During the first episode, we will investigate the job of ‘Il- Pastaż’ Nowadays, the word ‘Pastaż’ is referred to someone who is rude and vulgar. But back then, it had a completely different meaning than what it holds today.

The actual literal meaning of ‘Pastaż’ in Maltese denotes a bearer/helper. Men used to roam around seashores, ports, and cities like Valletta to be of assistance to any kind of help needed, whether it was carrying furniture in carts, or lifting objects by hand. When there wasn’t enough need for helpers close to the ports, Il- psataż flocked to the Covered Market in Valletta to help upper-class women with their groceries.

In return,  il-psataż would be awarded a few coins for their assistance once the woman’s baskets full of groceries are delivered to her doorstep. Unfortunately, most of the psataż were uneducated, very poor, and lacked adequate manners. This connotation gradually made its way into Maltese households. And years later, it stuck!

And that’s how the word ‘Pastaz’ shifted its connotation and denotation from a poor and eager helper into a vulgar and rude person.