Wordcraft Community Home Page
Phrases from Latin

This topic can be found at:
https://wordcraft.infopop.cc/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/756604565/m/4571053614

December 13, 2006, 07:15
wordcrafter
Phrases from Latin
This week we'll present phrases taken verbatim from Latin.

mutatis mutandis – (when comparing two or more cases) making necessary alterations while not affecting the main point; with respective differences taken into consideration
[Latin, 'things being changed that have to be changed'. Akin to mutate]
December 14, 2006, 08:46
wordcrafter
mea culpa – an acknowledgement that one is at fault
[Latin, 'by my fault']
December 15, 2006, 08:26
wordcrafter
ceteris paribus – other things being equal; if all other relevant factors remain unaltered
December 16, 2006, 08:02
wordcrafter
caveat emptor – the principle that the buyer is responsible for checking the quality and suitability of goods before purchase
[Latin, 'let the buyer beware']
December 16, 2006, 08:10
Robert Arvanitis
Important to note that in the US, judicial innovation and expansion of tort liability have transformed that phrase into today's version: "caveat vendor."


RJA
December 16, 2006, 08:34
zmježd
There's a lovely mosaic that was discovered in Pompei, which may still be seen in situ, of a dog straining at the leash with the words CAVE CANEM (beware the dog) below it.

caveat vendor

That should be caveat venditor for let the seller beware.

[Fixed formatting problem.]

This message has been edited. Last edited by: zmježd,


Ceci n'est pas un seing.
December 16, 2006, 08:40
missann
These are from a favorite little book, "Latin for all Occasions."
For the convenience store:
Ursuli Gummi = Gummy Bears
Manducabulla = bubble gum
fabae suaves = jelly beans
Lateres Martiales = Mars Bars
Crusta Lunares = Moon Pies
Scintillae = Twinkies
Sacci Laeti = Glad Bags
December 16, 2006, 18:11
wordcrafter
sine qua non – an indispensible condition
[Latin, meaning 'without which, not'. This is feminine; sometimes you'll see masc. sine quo non; proper plural is sine quibus non.]
December 19, 2006, 10:56
wordcrafter
vox populi – the opinions or beliefs of the majority
[Latin, ‘the people’s voice’]de gustibus – a matter of personal taste
[Not in dictionaries, but occasionally used as a word. From Latin de gustibus non est disputandum 'There's no disputing about taste,' or 'There's no accounting for taste.']
December 20, 2006, 12:24
arnie
quote:
de gustibus non est disputandum
That was the phrase I used in my sig for several years. I still do use it in a couple of forums. Nowadays people say things like "YMMV" ("Your mileage may vary"). Frown


Build a man a fire and he's warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life.