by Merriam-Webster Dictionary
Over the centuries, certain Latin phrases have been used widely enough in English to get included in the dictionary. This list contains some of our favorites:
In Vino Veritas
Definition – “there is truth in wine”:
The classy thing to say when you’ve had too much to drink and have just said something that is decidedly not classy, in vino veritas, has been employed as a mea culpa of sorts for thousands of years. In the first century AD, Pliny the Elder referred to the “common proverb that in wine, there is truth in vino veritas.”
Amor Vincit Omnia
Definition – “love conquers all things”
Shortly before the start of the first millennium, the Roman poet Virgil wrote “love conquers all things; let us too surrender to Love.”
The phrase and the concept (in Latin and in English) caught on: a character in Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales, written in the late 1300s, wore a brooch engraved “Amor Vincit Omnia.” A number of poets have shown themselves to be fond of working this Latin phrase into their works; amor vincit omnia may be found in the writing of W. H. Auden, John Gower, Diane Wakoski, and many others.
Carpe Diem
Definition – “enjoy the pleasures of the moment without concern for the future” (literally, “pluck the day”)
During the 1st century BC, the Roman poet Horace wrote, “Seize the day; put no trust in the morrow.” The notion of living for the moment crops up over centuries of poetry, including in the writings of Shakespeare, Milton and Byron. Carpe diem, in Latin form, may be found inserted into English prose as far back as the early 18th century.
Utile Dulci
Definition – “the useful with the agreeable”
One of our lesser-known Latin expressions, utile dulci shares etymological space with a number of pleasing English words, including addulce, (“to mollify”), dulcet (“luscious, melodious”), and the criminally underused dulcitude (“sweetness”). Utile dulci comes from the poet Horace, who in Ars Poetica, offered the following advice:
“He who joins the useful with the agreeable, wins every vote, by delighting and at the same time instructing the reader.”
Definition – “always faithful”
These two words have long served as motto for families, schools, and organizations – most famously, since 1883, for the United States Marine Corps. Semper Fidelis is also the title of the USMC march, composed by John Philip Sousa.
Caveat Emptor
Definition – “let the buyer beware”
In early Roman law, sales of goods were governed by caveat emptor: buyers were advised to scrutinize the goods before purchase, because sellers had few obligations. Over time, the imperative of caveat emptor has been softened by warranties, both express and implied.
Caveat has been adopted directly into English, and has a small range of meanings, including “a warning enjoining one from certain acts or practices” and “an explanation to prevent misinterpretation.” Emptor has likewise been taken directly into our language, although the word is far less common than caveat; it has retained the rather narrow meaning of “buyer, purchaser.”
Post Hoc, Ergo Propter Hoc
Definition – “after this, therefore on account of it”
Post hoc, ergo propter hoc refers to the logical mistake of claiming that one thing caused another just because it happened first.
For example, the rooster crows and the sun rises – but to argue that the rooster’s crowing causes the sun to rise would be post hoc, ergo propter hoc reasoning. It was Aristotle who laid the groundwork for classifying bad arguments based on logical errors like this one.
Per Angusta Ad Augusta
Definition – “through difficulties to honors”
These four words have inspired students and soldiers for centuries. Alternative translations include “through trial to triumph” and “through difficulties to great things.”
Si Monumentum Requiris, Circumspice
Definition – “if you seek his monument, look around”
It took 35 years to complete London’s magnificent St. Paul’s Cathedral. When its architect, Sir Christopher Wren, died twelve years later in 1723, he was entombed inside, under a simple slab of black marble. Wren’s son placed a dedication nearby, which contains the words “Lector, si monumentum requiris, circumspice” (“Reader, if you seek a monument, look around you”).
The phrase is generally used to describe a person’s legacy – and can be taken to mean that what we leave behind (including intangible things like relationships) best represents our life.
There are others who have not fared so well in terms of having their name placed in dictionaries in ways that relate to work on old English cathedrals. Sir Edmund Beckett, the first Baron Grimthorpe, is the source of the word grimthorpe (“to remodel an ancient building without proper knowledge or care to retain its original quality and character”), after his attempted restoration of St. Albans cathedral was viewed as subpar.
Aere Perennius
Definition – “more lasting than bronze”
In the final poem in his third book of Odes, Horace boasts that his poetry will outlive any manmade monument: “Exegi monumentum aere perennius.” (“I have made a monument more lasting than bronze.”) Given that his words continue to be used two thousand years later, perhaps he’s right.
Sic Semper Tyrannis
Definition – “thus always to tyrants” – motto of Virginia
Sic semper tyrannis is a phrase with a somewhat problematic history. Some sources have claimed that this was spoken by Brutus as he delivered the knife blow to Julius Caesar. John Wilkes Booth is likewise said to have claimed the same utterance was made when he assassinated Abraham Lincoln. And the words have long been the state motto of Virginia, an incongruity which was much commented upon by abolitionists in the days leading up to the Civil War.
But although the words may have been used in conjunction with various acts of violence over the years, this does not mean that they might not be useful; something, perhaps, for you to mutter softly under your breath on the occasion that some despised supervisor is fired from your company.
Veni, Vidi, Vici
Definition – “I came, I saw, I conquered”
One of the best known and most frequently quoted Latin expression, veni, vidi, vici may be found hundreds of times throughout the centuries used as an expression of triumph. The words are said to have been used by Caesar as he was enjoying a triumph. By the way, before triumph meant “a notable success” in English it had the meaning of “a ceremony attending the entering of Rome by a general who had won a decisive victory over a foreign enemy.”
A triumph was better than an ovation, which has the meaning “a ceremony attending the entering of Rome by a general who had won a victory of less importance than that for which a triumph was granted.” One would not say “veni, vidi, vici” at an ovation.
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