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Our 8th annual ‘10 Issue’ is on newsstands now. This week, we’ll be highlighting some of our favorite lists from past installments. The following article comes from the 4th annual edition. If it puts you in a subscribing mood, here are the details. (Or consider our subscription + mental_floss t-shirt deal for just a few dollars more.)
By Kevin Fleming
Whether you’re deciphering a cryptic state seal or trying to impress your Catholic in-laws, knowing some Latin has its advantages. But the operative word here is “some.” We’ll start you off with 10 phrases that have survived the hatchet men of time (in all their pretentious glory).
1. Caveat Emptor
(KAV-ee-OT emp-TOR): “Let the buyer beware”
Before money-back guarantees and 20-year warranties, caveat emptor was indispensable advice for the consumer. These days, it’d be more fitting to have it tattooed on the foreheads of used-car salesmen, infomercial actors, and prostitutes. For extra credit points, remember that caveat often makes solo appearances at cocktail parties as a fancy term for a warning or caution. Oh, and just so you know, caveat lector means “let the reader beware.”
2. Persona Non Grata
(puhr-SOH-nah non GRAH-tah): “An unacceptable person”
Remember your old college buddy, the one everybody called Chugger? Now picture him at a debutante ball, and you’ll start to get a sense of someone with persona non grata status. The term is most commonly used in diplomatic circles to indicate that a person is unwelcome due to ideological differences or a breach of trust. Sometimes, the tag refers to a pariah, a ne’er-do-well, a killjoy, or an interloper, but it’s always subjective. Back in 2004, Michael Moore was treated as a persona non grata at the Republican National Convention. Bill O’Reilly would experience the same at Burning Man.
3. Habeas Corpus
(HAY-bee-as KOR-pus): “You have the body”
When you wake up in the New Orleans Parish Prison after a foggy night at Mardi Gras, remember this one. In a nutshell, habeas corpus is what separates us from savages. It’s the legal principle that guarantees an inmate the right to appear before a judge in court, so it can be determined whether or not that person is being lawfully imprisoned. It’s also one of the cornerstones of the American and British legal systems. Without it, tyrannical and unjust imprisonments would be possible. In situations where national security is at risk, however, habeas corpus can be suspended.
4. Cogito Ergo Sum
(CO-gee-toe ER-go SOME): “I think, therefore I am”
When all those spirited mental wrestling matches you have about existentialism start growing old (yeah, right!), you can always put an end to the debate with cogito ergo sum. René Descartes, the 17th-century French philosopher, coined the phrase as a means of justifying reality. According to him, nothing in life could be proven except one’s thoughts. Well, so he thought, anyway.
5. E Pluribus Unum
(EE PLUR-uh-buhs OOH-nuhm): “Out of many, one”
Less unique than it sounds, America’s original national motto, e pluribus unum, was plagiarized from an ancient recipe for salad dressing. In the 18th century, haughty intellectuals were fond of this phrase. It was the kind of thing gentlemen’s magazines would use to describe their year-end editions. But the term made its first appearance in Virgil’s poem “Moretum” to describe salad dressing. The ingredients, he wrote, would surrender their individual aesthetic when mixed with others to form one unique, homogenous, harmonious, and tasty concoction. As a slogan, it really nailed that whole cultural melting pot thing we were going for. And while it continues to appear on U.S. coins, “In God We Trust” came along later (officially in 1956) to share the motto spotlight.
6. Quid Pro Quo
(kwid proh KWOH): “You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours”
Given that quid pro quo refers to a deal or trade, it’s no wonder the Brits nicknamed their almighty pound the “quid.” And if you give someone some quid, you’re going to expect some quo. The phrase often lives in the courtroom, where guilt and innocence are the currency. It’s the oil that lubricates our legal system. Something of a quantified value is traded for something of equal value; elements are parted and parceled off until quid pro quo is achieved.
7. Ad Hominem
(ad HAH-mi-nem): “To attack the man”
In the world of public discourse, ad hominem is a means of attacking one’s rhetorical opponent by questioning his or her reputation or expertise rather than sticking to the issue at hand. Translation: Politicians are really good at it. People who resort to ad hominem techniques are usually derided as having a diluted argument or lack of discipline. If pressed, they’ll brandish it like a saber and refuse to get back to the heart of the matter. Who said the debate team doesn’t have sex appeal?
8. Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam
(ad-MA-yor-em DAY-ee GLOR-ee-um): “All for the Greater Glory of God”
Ad majorem dei gloriam is often shortened to AMDG. In other words, it’s the WWJD of the Jesuits, who’ve been drilling the mantra into their followers since (Saint) Ignatius of Loyola founded the Catholic Order in 1534. They believe all actions, big or small, should be done with AMDG in mind. Remind your Jesuit-educated buddies of this when they seem to be straying from the path. (Best used with a wink and a hint of irony.)
9. Memento Mori
(meh-MEN-toh MOR-ee): “Remember, you must die”
Carpe diem is so 20th century. If you’re going to suck the marrow out of life, trying doing it with the honest, irrefutable, and no less inspiring memento mori. You can interpret the phrase in two ways: Eat, drink, and party down. Or, less hedonistically, be good so you can get past the pearly gates. Naturally, the latter was the one preferred by the early Christian Church, which would use macabre art—including dancing skeletons and snuffed-out candles—to remind the faithful to forgo temporal pleasures in favor of eternal bliss in heaven. The phrase also served to prevent swelling heads. Some historians say that victorious, parading Roman generals would have servants stand behind them and whisper “memento mori” in their ears to keep their egos in check.
10. Sui Generis
(SOO-ee JEN-er-is): “Of its own genus,” or “Unique and unable to classify”
Frank Zappa, the VW Beetle, cheese in a can: Sui generis refers to something that’s so new, so bizarre, or so rare that it defies categorization. Granted, labeling something “sui generis” is really just classifying the unclassifiable. But let’s not over-think it. Use it at a dinner party to describe Andy Kaufman, and you impress your friends. Use it too often, and you just sound pretentious.
Comments (74)
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Quid pro quo, actually translates into “this for that”.
posted by Bobby on 4-22-2009 at 11:08 am
What about the Latin phrases we don’t pretend to understand, but are entertaining anyway?
We should put it into practice… For example
1. Say you’re at a great new restaurant, why not proclaim: Deorum cibus est! (It’s food for the gods)
2. When with your spouse in the bedroom: destitutis ventis remos adhibe! (Try anything, it may work!)
3. When doing something perhaps taboo: percontatorem fugito, nam garrulus idem est! (Watch out for snoopers! Thanks for the advice, Horace!)
When you get an angry call the next day for something you said the night before: odi memorem compotorem! (I hate a drinking friend with a memory)
When trying on a wig…?: feriunt summos fulgura montes! (Keep your powder dry and your head down)
Or finally, a pretty good standard to live by: celeritas et veritas–promptness and truth.
Ah, some good fun times with Latin…
posted by Ophelia on 4-22-2009 at 12:10 pm
Though my favorite latin saying is “de gustibus non disputandum est” (in matters of opinion, there is no accounting for taste), I gotta stick with the street latin “semper ubi sub ubi” which employs a homophone to ‘mean’ always wear under-wear.
Amo lingua latinam.
posted by Stephen on 4-22-2009 at 12:19 pm
I admit, I’m guilty of pretending to recognize one or more of the above phrases. The other day, I was over at my boyfriend’s and he had his Xbox and (to futher prove I know nothing about video games) they have these new avatars on there. And the balloon for his avatar said, “cogito ergo sum” so I asked if the avatars spoke a different language. Smart, I know. :)
posted by Rosie on 4-22-2009 at 12:37 pm
Thanks Bobby! that was my main question. The one that’s really bugging me is “qua”–in grad school the post-modern crowd threw it in almost every sentence, and I didn’t want to condone the practice by inquiring (or maybe I’m just lazy). I get the feeling it means something like “in relation to”?
posted by mehitabel on 4-22-2009 at 12:49 pm
I guess some of these phoneticized pronunciations are “american/english latin” pronunciations as opposed to vulgar or ecclesial latin?
posted by Nick on 4-22-2009 at 12:52 pm
Doesn’t “caveat” also mean something good like “The caveat in the contract was a $20k bonus.”
posted by Sarah in CA on 4-22-2009 at 1:12 pm
My understanding is that “quid pro quo” is more often used to describe a situation of illicitly trading favors, especially a sexual harassment incident where someone in a position of power offers benefits or a promotion in exchange for sex. Quite the opposite of the doctrine of fairness that the article describes.
posted by Wilson on 4-22-2009 at 1:19 pm
I must disagree with your summary of “cogito ergo sum,” in that Descartes was not merely deconstructing the world; he thought that he could put it all back together again, with God’s help. It’s the second half of the meditation, and the one generally regarded as having failed. So, let’s not give him credit without some blame, shall we?
posted by DaviMack on 4-22-2009 at 1:39 pm
Latin is dead, as dead as it can be, First it killed the Romans, now it’s killing me!
I found this in my 9th grade Latin Book.
posted by Non-Latin on 4-22-2009 at 2:09 pm
If used properly, “caveat” does not mean something good or beneficial. A caveat is a warning- from the Latin word for beware.
posted by Admiral Byrd on 4-22-2009 at 2:17 pm
President Bartlet: Anybody know “Post hoc, ergo propter hoc”? Josh?
Josh Lyman: Uh, uh, “post” – after, after hoc, “ergo” – therefore, “After hoc, therefore” something else hoc.
posted by Lindsey on 4-22-2009 at 3:25 pm
Best use of Latin phrase in a movie:
Hanibal Lector’s employment of “quid pro quo, Clarice”
Uber creepy Latin use!
posted by Beth on 4-22-2009 at 4:00 pm
Your translations were a bit off!
Quid pro quo = this for that
Ad hominem = toward the man
Memento mori = remember death
posted by Angela on 4-22-2009 at 4:07 pm
‘in vino veritas’
truth in wine
Useful for any situation where you need to suggest that you or another person is revealing his or her true feelings while drunk. Goes well with a mustache, heavy cough, and mad gun-slinging skills.
posted by cookie on 4-22-2009 at 4:09 pm
After a lot of thought on the matter I choose to have a Latin inscription on the back of my iPod Touch: “Audio, Video, Disco”.
It means “I Hear, I See, I Learn”.
My high school Latin teacher, Miss Dyball, would be so proud!
posted by Jen - The Alien Spouse on 4-22-2009 at 4:38 pm
illegitemus non carborundun
posted by Sparky on 4-22-2009 at 5:27 pm
OOPS! Should have been
“Illegitemus non carborundum” =
Don’t let the bastards wear you down….LOL!
posted by Sparky on 4-22-2009 at 5:29 pm
My favorite Latin phrase is:
“Semper Ubi Sub Ubi”
(Always Wear Underwear)
It literally translates to: “Always Where Under Where”
posted by Austin on 4-22-2009 at 5:36 pm
Pah! It’s all Greek to me.
posted by Scott-O on 4-22-2009 at 5:42 pm
You left off one of my favorites, “Persona non regatta,” i.e. someone who is not welcome at boat races.
posted by Jim on 4-22-2009 at 8:44 pm
Hey, you forgot “Sibili, si ergo. Fortibuses enero. Nobili, demis trux, sewatis enem, cowsendux!”
Doh.
Cheers,
Mitch
posted by Mitchell Allen on 4-22-2009 at 8:54 pm
How about, “Motorolus Interruptus,” which means, “Hold on, I’m going into a tunnel.”
posted by Liz on 4-22-2009 at 9:34 pm
I believe the phrase
“Keep your powder dry and your head down”
was advice given to those who were headed into combat back when firearms used gunpowder.
It meant to keep your gunpowder dry or your gun/cannon would not fire.
Keeping your head down would be for obvious reasons.
I could be wrong but that is what I have always believed it to be.
posted by Stephanie on 4-22-2009 at 10:50 pm
You had a few I’ve never heard of and left out one of the most often used: “pro bono” (I like Sonny)
I heard our state legislature dismissed “Saini Dai” – no idea of correct spelling and very well have been mispronounced with a Southern accent – any ideas?
My two favorites missing from the list are “veni vidi dici” (I came, I saw, I conquered)
and
“Dolce et decorem est pro patria morti” (It is sweet and honorable to die for you country)
posted by PartiallyDeflected on 4-22-2009 at 11:28 pm
Very entertaining post. I studied in a Jesuit school once and AMDG is one phrase you couldn’t not hear every single day. We were even required to write it on our examination papers – not that it stopped people from cheating.
posted by Joe on 4-23-2009 at 1:45 am
Semper ubi sub ubi
posted by Spacegirl on 4-23-2009 at 4:04 am
I live by the motto:
Draco Dormiens Nunquam Titilandus
Never tickle a sleeping dragon.
posted by Carmen on 4-23-2009 at 6:03 am
How can “Quid, Me Vexeri?” not be on the list? It’s the motto of Alfred E. Nueman, the poster boy for Mad Magazine. It translate to “What, me worry?” It’s probably best used in conjunction with memento mori, though.
posted by Doug on 4-23-2009 at 9:26 am
A big omission from the article and the comments
Quis custōdiet ipsōs custōdēs?
loosely translated as who watches the watchers?
And from Mr Gaydosh’s 9th grade Latin class in catholic school
‘Tu es istis vir!’
(you’re the damn man!)
posted by Michael on 4-23-2009 at 10:01 am
It’s hard not to notice that, for being such a so-called “dead language”, there sure are alot of comments, aha.
posted by Sarah in CA on 4-23-2009 at 7:34 pm
“Post hoc ergo propter hoc” translates (more or less) as “after this, therefore because of this.” In modern usage it refers to a logical fallacy.
posted by Paul on 4-23-2009 at 9:57 pm
In God We Trust appears on late 19th Century Morgan Silver Dollars and other coins before 1956. The article seems to imply that this phrase was not used prior to the year indicated.
posted by Joe on 4-24-2009 at 2:03 am
There once was a lawyer named Rex,
Who had an aversion to sex.
When asked as to why,
He replied with a sigh,
“De minimus non cubit lex.”
posted by Jon on 4-29-2009 at 1:59 pm
Forgive my spelling…
quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur
– anything said in Latin sounds profound
posted by Justin on 5-7-2009 at 12:52 am
Carpe diem = fish of the day.
posted by Marm on 5-9-2009 at 7:35 pm
“Habeas corpus” is actually best translated “You may have the body.” Habeas is subjunctive, not indicative.
posted by Harlequin on 5-14-2009 at 6:20 pm
“Ilegitimus non carborundum.”
Don’t let the b–tards wear you dowm.
I understand it is correctly : “Nil carborundum illegitimo”
posted by Ken on 6-14-2009 at 12:40 pm
Some of your pronounciations are not correct. Latin (except Church Latin) has no soft sounds. JEN-er-is is incorrect. It should be a hard G and “is” is more like eess then is. Veni, vidi, vici would be pronounced waynee, weedee, weekee. E is always pronounced like a long a so Emptor is aimtor rather than emptor. Gloriam is glo-ree-ahm rather than glo-ri-um. Et cetera, et cetera, et cetera (pronounced eight kaytayra, of course!)
posted by Tom Lake on 6-15-2009 at 3:06 pm
With “Memento Mori,” is anyone else having flashbacks to Mel Brooks’ “History of the World, Part 1?” Ceasar’s court *ahem* spokesman follows the general down the aisle whispering “Remember, thou art mortal” in his ear until the general replies “Oh, blow it out your [orifice deleted].”
That joke just got a lot funnier!
posted by Matt Reeder on 6-18-2009 at 3:46 pm
then there’s ’sempre ubi sub ubi’
(always wear under-wear)
posted by rocktex on 7-5-2009 at 10:31 pm
And what of: “Veni, Vedi, Veci!” – Julius Caesar’s “I came, I saw, I conquered!”
If that’s not great Latin, nothing is!!
posted by DixonSteele1on1 on 7-12-2009 at 12:17 pm
ad astra per alia porci! i’m a huge steinbeck fan. To the stars on the wings of a pig
posted by john on 7-13-2009 at 1:17 pm
Et tu, Bruti?
posted by Richard on 7-14-2009 at 6:28 pm
The reference to Habeas Corpus mentions New Orleans, American and British law. Don’t forget that Louisiana law is based on the French legal system…
posted by Richard on 7-14-2009 at 6:30 pm
Lindsey, thanks for posting the West Wing quote! That’s one of my favorite episodes.
posted by WestWinger on 7-15-2009 at 11:42 am
Non Latin- I love that.
posted by ac on 8-7-2009 at 12:11 pm
Et expecto resurrecreation,
Et in unum dominos and checkers,
Qui tollis pecata mundi morning.
Mea culpa kyrie elei,
Sonny Tufts et Allah in Pompeii,
Dona Nobis Pacem cum what mei,
Agnos and her sister Doris Dei.
Lord, have mercy on my solo.
Et in terra chicken pox Romana,
In flagrante delicto Svetlana,
Sic sic transit gloria mañana,
Sanctus Estes Kefauveridiana.
Lord, have mercy on my solo.
Credo in at most, unum Deum,
Caveat Nabisco mausoleum,
Coitus interruptus bonus meum,
Kemo Sabe, watchum what you sayum.
Lord, have mercy on my soul so low.
–Aria from “Hansel and Gretel and Ted and Alice, an opera in one unnatural act,” by P.D.Q. Bach
posted by Hiram Q. Pustule on 9-1-2009 at 11:24 am
To mehitabel:
This is really late and probably of no help, but they’re probably saying “Quoi?” which means “What?” in French.
posted by Lisa on 9-4-2009 at 1:56 am
Cool article! My school’s motto is Non sibi, which is not for one’s self (not sure if that’s the exact translation- I don’t take latin), but I think it’s a pretty fitting saying for our school!
posted by Hannah on 9-10-2009 at 1:17 pm
My personal motto:
Carpe carp (”sieze the fish”)
posted by Jay on 9-26-2009 at 7:08 pm
oops: “seize” not “sieze”
mea culpa!
posted by Jay on 9-26-2009 at 7:09 pm
Let’s not forget the original college drinking song:
Gaudeamus igitur
Juvenes dum sumus.
Post jucundam juventutem
Post molestam senectutem
Nos habebit humus…
posted by The Amazon on 10-6-2009 at 12:50 pm
Coitus interruptus, the opposite of Motorolus interruptus (going into a tunnel)
posted by Gary on 10-8-2009 at 9:27 am
don’t forget… a while back, Marlboro had “vini vidi vici” on the label of cigarettes, around the crest located in teh middle of the pack and now it’s removed. ironic, don’tcha think?
posted by Dragon on 10-9-2009 at 3:02 am
Veni, vidi, VISA.
(I came, I saw, I did a little shopping.)
posted by Liz on 10-11-2009 at 12:12 pm
My two favorites:
“Sic gorgiomus allos subjectus nunc”–We gladly feast on those who would subdue us…from The Addams Family movie graveyard scene
and
“Piggus piggii o squealy gruntus”–A loud sow gathers no sympathy (a friend and I made that one up)
posted by Seth on 10-16-2009 at 1:08 pm
my favorite was always the gladiatorial salute: nos moritorus salutamus est; we who are about to die salute you.
Oh, and ‘nole me tempore, Caesarus est.’ Which I know I didn’t get the end right, but means “Touch me not, for I am Caesar’s.”
posted by lizzie on 10-16-2009 at 3:47 pm
Agnus dei clitoris peccata mundi
Miserere nobis
posted by Evelyn Devilin on 10-19-2009 at 10:10 pm
Never mind.
posted by Evelyn Devilin on 10-19-2009 at 10:13 pm
\There once was a lawyer named Rex,
Who had an aversion to sex.
When asked as to why,
He replied with a sigh,
“De minimus non cubit lex.”\
Jon, I think you mean
\de minimis non curat lex\
For everyone else, this translates to
the law does not concern itself with the smallest things
posted by Emily on 10-21-2009 at 4:51 pm
I’m disappointed that \per se\ didn’t make the list.
I see people saying it all the time (usually misspelling it \per say\) when it’s clear they have no idea what it means. All they know is it sounds nice at the end of a sentence
posted by Anon on 10-21-2009 at 4:54 pm
=== popurls.com === popular today…
yeah! this story has entered the popular today section on popurls.com…
posted by === popurls.com === popular today on 10-21-2009 at 5:00 pm
@Lisa & mehitabel
“qua” means “as” or “in the capacity of”. Like “The President qua international mediator spoke with the leader of the rogue nation to talk some sense into him.”
posted by feign on 10-21-2009 at 5:07 pm
Veritas te liberabit.
posted by Evania on 10-21-2009 at 11:53 pm
There’s always the verb for expectoration:
Spitto, spittere, hoctui, splattus…
posted by Jim Horn on 10-22-2009 at 12:18 am
#4 isn’t correct, Descartes did not attempt to prove that ones own thoughts could be proven. I think therefore I am was Descartes way of stating that while it could not be proven, it would be irrational to doubt ones own existence. For if one was to doubt their existence there must be one doing the doubting. He knowingly stated that this does not prove ones existence, rather it makes it irrational to believe otherwise.
posted by Phil D. on 10-22-2009 at 1:46 am
English speaking people have really awful pronunciation of Latin language. If one learns a language then correct pronunciation is important too.
posted by coyote on 10-22-2009 at 4:37 am
1-Alea jacta est
2-Carpe diem
3-Sin equa non
4-Corpore sano mens sana
5-Deus ex machina
6-Plus ultra
7-Corpus cristi
8-Vincit omnia veritas
9-Sui generis
10-Pecata minuta
… Ad nauseam
posted by Marc on 10-22-2009 at 5:52 am
Ut sit copore sano mens sana!
If only I had a sound mind in a sound body. Everyone forgets the Ut, like it is actually possible. Maybe for 2 year olds.
posted by paul on 10-22-2009 at 10:07 am
post hoc ergo propter hoc – after this therefore because of this. it refers to a logical fallacy that looks like this:
75% of people who use heroin started on marijuana, therefore marijuana is a gateway drug.
Sounds logical till you recall that 100% of them started on milk.
Just because it follows does not mean it was caused by.
posted by todd on 10-22-2009 at 11:53 am
I don’t want to cause a fuss or anything, but as far as i know (and i have studied Latin for quite a long time) ‘quid pro quo’ indeed means ‘this for that’.
But its use is much more diverse.
‘Quid’ and ‘Quo’ have originally the same root, they are just different declinations of the same idea of concept. Therefore using ‘Quid’ instead of ‘Quo’ is a given sentence might cause a great confusion to the listener or reader.
So one of the major meaning – if not the major one – of this sentence is exactly this idea of confusion and mess. Actually it is not rare to use this expression where the word ‘confusion’ or ‘mess’ could be.
:)
This was just a huge FYI.
posted by Cadu on 10-22-2009 at 12:58 pm
the origins of E Pluribus Unum actually date back further than the 18th century. The original phrase dates back to the fifth century Confessions of Christian, Saint Augustine. It reads, flagrare animos et ex pluribus unum facere. To set ablaze our souls, and out of many make one. “Many” thought to be the delights of friendship. “One” is thought to be love. The significance of the difference between “E” and “ex” lies in the numerological connection. It symbolizes the sacred number “13″ which has multiple meanings and connections within the “eagle,pheonix” roundel. The great seal has been changed since it’s inception in 1782. An interesting note is the change of the number of arrows, leaves in the clutches of the bird to 13. 13 vertical stripes across the shield of the chest of the bird can also be noted. 13 five pointed stars make up “the star of David” or “the seal of Solomon” illuminating above the great bird. A man by the name of Pierre Antoine Motteux published the phrase “E Pluribus Unum” in a 1692 January edition of The Gentleman’s Journal. So as we can see it’s origins are not from cooking recipe. Like words pictures can also have multiple meanings. Most will just assume the the 13 connection is just of the 13 original colonies. This I don’t argue. One must dig deeper and to meanings than just scratching the surface of the obvious. I hope this helps someone out there who also questions the nature of information,misinformation,disinformation.
posted by dirtyfrenchman on 10-22-2009 at 1:52 pm
Actually I dont understand and don’t pretend to understand any of them. Latin ehhh is overrated. LOL
posted by e cigarette on 10-22-2009 at 4:40 pm