All the useful Latin phrases you need to know – including final word to shut down ANY conversation
HABEMUS papam, folks! Yes, in layman’s terms, we have a new pope.
And with the pontification of Pope Leo XIV comes the reminder that Latin is a very useful language indeed.
After all, not only did it herald big news in Vatican City that resounded around the world (resonare – to echo), it also plays a massive role in our daily conversation.
Don’t believe us?
Just look at some of the frequent words and phrases that pepper our everyday speech: ad hoc, mea culpa, quid pro quo . . . et cetera.
Monty Python famously asked: what have the Romans ever done for us?
So with that in mind, here Charlotte Oliver collates – and translates – some of the most useful Latin phrases we still use today, taking you from the battlefield to the bedroom and beyond.
Carpe diem
AN obvious one, but next time you tell someone to “seize the day”, you might want to remember where the quote came from.
It was actually said by poet Horace in his ode to girlfriend Leuconoe . . . to convince her to go to bed with him.
Also worth noting is that, while “carpe” is frequently translated as “seize”, it’s actually closer in meaning to “pluck”.
So whenever you use it in a sentence, just remember that a horny Horace was keen to pluck . . .
In vino veritas
MEANING “there’s truth in wine”, this aphorism needs no explaining to anyone who’s ever woken up in the morning with a stomach full of rosé and regret.
Originally coming from the Greeks, Pliny the Elder translated the phrase to Latin as a warning that your large glass of Pinot comes with notes of lavender, hints of all-spice – and a guarantee you’ll be spilling your guts before the night is over.
Militat omnis amans
IT was Pat Benatar who sang with Eighties pop angst that Love Is A Battlefield, but she was actually pipped to the post by the writer Ovid 2,000 years earlier.
In his work Amores, the satirical poet told his audience: “militat omnis amans” – or “every lover is a soldier” – summing up the bittersweet rollercoaster that is falling head over heels.
Add a music video with mullets and you’ve got yourself a hit.
Mulgere hircum
A LESSER-known expression, you’ll be milking this for all it’s worth soon enough.
Literally meaning “to milk a male goat”, it can be used to describe a situation where one is attempting the impossible.
Used in a sentence?
That in itself might just be a mulgere hircum.
Barba non facit philosophum
HAVING a beard can say many things about you: you’re a hipster, you like having something to stroke, you don’t like your chin or you couldn’t be bothered to shave.
But back in Ancient Rome, beards were squarely associated with deep thinkers.
However, this phrase, meaning “a beard doesn’t make one a philosopher” was used to note the difference between brains and bristles…a razor-sharp observation, indeed.
Aut Caesar aut nihil
AS the first ever Roman “emperor”, Julius Caesar rose to the highest rank ever reached in its society…while the word Caesar was later used to describe all Roman emperors.
So, by saying “aut Caesar aut nihil” – meaning “either Caesar or nothing” – you are saying “all or nothing”.
In context, it suggests you’ll either achieve the ultimate goal, or crash and burn spectacularly.
But you can, of course, also use it to order a tasty salad dressing.
Festina lente
WE love an oxymoron – like saying something is a definite maybe or giving our unbiased opinion.
But this one is particularly impactful.
Translated as “hurry slowly”, Suetonius used it to describe Emperor Augustus’ military style, which was all about conquering and pillaging the world . . . with caution.
Surdo oppedere
LATIN may be associated with epic literature and romantic verses, but those Ancient Romans loved a fart and burp joke, too.
They also loved brevity.
Put those two together and you’ve got “surdo oppedere”, which literally means “to belch before the deaf”, and describes a pointless or futile action.
Panem et circenses
ACCORDING to the Roman satirist Juvenal, politicians could distract the masses by offering them two things – “bread and circuses”.
The idea is that, presented with free food and entertainment, we can turn a blind eye to more pressing concerns affecting the current state of affairs.
To which we say . . . did somebody mention free food?