IIn the past, Venice was not well lit by street lamps and along the numerous "calle", the typical narrow Venetian passageways, the only lights were the so-called "cesendeli", the candles used to illuminate the religious images on the walls.

After a period of violence in about 1450, a law was passed forcing those who ventured outside after sundown to carry a light.

They could use candles, candelabras, lanterns and many other types of lights.

The nobility, the wealthy merchants, and especially the foreigners ("foresti") were accompanied by a servant called a "codega" who held a lamp before them and helped them make their way.

The term "codega" may derive from "cotica", the thick, hard pork skin used to feed the flame for the light. It may also derive from the greek "odegos", or "guide."

More recently the nickname "codega" was given to the bellboys who would go out in the rain with their umbrellas to help clients. "Codega" has also been used to describe escorts who accompanied young women home after the theatre or an evening out.

The term is still in use today but has changed meaning: "codega" is now used when someone finds themselves to be "the odd man out" and makes reference to being the one to "carry the candlestick," "hold the lantern," or "be the codega" for the others present .