It is not a Spanish fighting bull’s name.
We are eager to see the new Lamborghini Countach, which this automaker revealed earlier this week was returning. We should explore the meaning and, more importantly, how to pronounce the name before it makes its debut.
First, a spoiler: The Countach isn’t named after a bull breed, as is the case with most Sant’Agata models. This naming scheme was chosen because Ferruccio Lamborghini, a bullfighting bull, is fitting the company’s car’s character. This legacy includes Mirai and Diablo, Huracan and Aventador.
Although there are very few exceptions to this rule, they do exist. Names such as Sesto Elemento and Silhouette are examples of the bullfighting naming conventions.
The Piedmontese Origins of the Word
Countach is actually a word in Piedmontese, an Italian dialect that’s spoken in the country’s northwest region. It’s pronounced [kuNG’tatS] according to the International Phonetic Alphabet. The accent is on the “a” and the consonants at the end are “tsc”.
It is the literal translation of “contagion”, but, like many words it has become something different. It has been reinterpreted to “an exclamation or wonder in front of something extraordinary, exaggerated.” It is similar to saying “perbacco” in Italian. or “accipicchia”, (golly or geez).
Why countach?
Marcello Gandini was the original Bertone prototype designer. This is how the Countach got it’s name. The team was preparing the car for the 1971 Geneva Motor Show. They worked long hours and often stayed up late at night. One member of Piedmont, who spoke only in Piemontese, would frequently exclaim “Countach!”
The Word’s History
In 1630, the plague that decimated Turin’s city was called “contagion” and countach originally meant “contagion”. “Il contagio,” or the contagion, was originally called “el contacc,” and it likely became “Contacc” to warn people away from danger.
It is certainly not the most appealing origin for a name that graces one of the most stunning supercars ever made. The word will soon regain its wonderful connotation on a car that is well-suited for the name.