HABEMUS papam, of us! Sure, in layman’s phrases, we have now a brand new pope.
And with the pontification of Pope Leo XIV comes the reminder that Latin is a really helpful language certainly.
5
In spite of everything, not solely did it herald huge information in Vatican City that resounded around the globe (resonare – to echo), it additionally performs a large function in our each day dialog.
Don’t imagine us?
Simply have a look at a number of the frequent phrases and phrases that pepper our on a regular basis speech: advert hoc, mea culpa, quid professional quo . . . et cetera.
Monty Python famously requested: what have the Romans ever accomplished for us?
So with that in thoughts, right here Charlotte Oliver collates – and interprets – a number of the most helpful Latin phrases we nonetheless use in the present day, taking you from the battlefield to the bed room and past.
Carpe diem
AN apparent one, however subsequent time you inform somebody to “seize the day”, you may wish to bear in mind the place the quote got here from.
It was truly stated by poet Horace in his ode to girlfriend Leuconoe . . . to persuade her to go to mattress with him.
Additionally value noting is that, whereas “carpe” is regularly translated as “seize”, it’s truly nearer in that means to “pluck”.
So everytime you use it in a sentence, simply keep in mind that a attractive Horace was eager to pluck . . .
In vino veritas
MEANING “there’s fact in wine”, this aphorism wants no explaining to anybody who’s ever woken up within the morning with a abdomen stuffed with rosé and remorse.
Initially coming from the Greeks, Pliny the Elder translated the phrase to Latin as a warning that your massive glass of Pinot comes with notes of lavender, hints of all-spice – and a assure you’ll be spilling your guts earlier than the night time is over.
Militat omnis amans
IT was Pat Benatar who sang with Eighties pop angst that Love Is A Battlefield, however she was truly pipped to the put up by the author Ovid 2,000 years earlier.
In his work Amores, the satirical poet advised his viewers: “militat omnis amans” – or “each lover is a soldier” – summing up the bittersweet rollercoaster that’s falling head over heels.
Add a music video with mullets and also you’ve received your self successful.
5
Mulgere hircum
A LESSER-known expression, you’ll be milking this for all it’s value quickly sufficient.
Actually that means “to take advantage of a male goat”, it may be used to explain a scenario the place one is trying the unattainable.
Utilized in a sentence?
That in itself may simply be a mulgere hircum.
Barba non facit philosophum
HAVING a beard can say many issues about you: you’re a hipster, you want having one thing to stroke, you don’t like your chin otherwise you couldn’t be bothered to shave.
However again in Ancient Rome, beards had been squarely related to deep thinkers.
Nonetheless, this phrase, that means “a beard doesn’t make one a thinker” was used to notice the distinction between brains and bristles…a razor-sharp commentary, certainly.
5
Aut Caesar aut nihil
AS the primary ever Roman “emperor”, Julius Caesar rose to the very best rank ever reached in its society…whereas the phrase Caesar was later used to explain all Roman emperors.
So, by saying “aut Caesar aut nihil” – that means “both Caesar or nothing” – you might be saying “all or nothing”.
In context, it suggests you’ll both obtain the last word objective, or crash and burn spectacularly.
However you may, after all, additionally use it to order a tasty salad dressing.
Festina lente
WE love an oxymoron – like saying one thing is a particular perhaps or giving our unbiased opinion.
However this one is significantly impactful.
Translated as “hurry slowly”, Suetonius used it to explain Emperor Augustus’ army fashion, which was all about conquering and pillaging the world . . . with warning.
Surdo oppedere
LATIN could also be related to epic literature and romantic verses, however these Historical Romans cherished a fart and burp joke, too.
Additionally they cherished brevity.
Put these two collectively and also you’ve received “surdo oppedere”, which accurately means “to belch earlier than the deaf”, and describes a pointless or futile motion.
5
Panem et circenses
ACCORDING to the Roman satirist Juvenal, politicians might distract the lots by providing them two issues – “bread and circuses”.
The concept is that, offered with free meals and leisure, we will flip a blind eye to extra urgent considerations affecting the present state of affairs.
To which we are saying . . . did someone point out free meals?
