COMMON LATIN PHRASES
"You can have your cake and eat it too."
"She's head over heels for him."
"I know it like the back of my hand."
Like these common sayings in the English language, Latin has sayings that sometimes don't make a lot of sense but are displayed on buildings, used in books, and known everywhere. Some have been adapted into everyday English use like etcetera or etc. ("Wait, I didn't know that was Latin!"). Below is a compilation of common Latin phrases you should familiarize yourself with.
"She's head over heels for him."
"I know it like the back of my hand."
Like these common sayings in the English language, Latin has sayings that sometimes don't make a lot of sense but are displayed on buildings, used in books, and known everywhere. Some have been adapted into everyday English use like etcetera or etc. ("Wait, I didn't know that was Latin!"). Below is a compilation of common Latin phrases you should familiarize yourself with.
(argumentum) ad hominum: for the man by interest or prejudice rather than truth or logic (appealing to feelings rather than intellect or an argument directed against an opponent’s character rather than the subject under the discussion).
ab ovo (usque ad mala): from the very beginning, or (quite literally) “from the egg to the apples,” another form of “from start to finish.”
ad hoc: usually an “ad hoc” committee is established to accomplish a particular task, an once the task is completed, the comittee is disbanded; means (quite literally) “for this.”
ad infinitum: to eternity; ie. forever.
ad nauseam: to the point of being disgusting, or (quite literally) “to nausea.”
alias (dictus): otherwise (named).
alibi: elsewhere evidence of absence from a given place.
alma mater: used usually of a school or college, means “foster mother/nurse” (Romans gave this epithet to Ceres and Cybele, as well as for their birth nation).
alumnus: used for a graduate of an alma mater, means “foster child/nurseling.”
anno domini: in the year of our lord. It is now globally used as “A.D.” regarding time in years.
annuity coeptis: on back of the one dollar bill, means “He has favored our undertakings.”
ante bellum: before the war.
ante meridiem: before noon. It is now globally used as “A.M.” on all clocks.
argumentum ex silentio: an argument based on silence; an attempt to prove something by the absence of evidence to the contrary (argumentum=“proof”).
ars gratia artis: MGM the motion picture producers use it as a part of their trademark, means (quite literally) “art for the sake of art (alone).”
bona fide: in good faith; real, without deceit (“bona fides” are credentials probing ones identity).
carpe diem: seize the day; ie. live in the present (exhortation used on maidens to give up their virginity and enjoy all pleasures of life).
cogito ergo sum: I think therefore I am.
credo quia absurdum est: I believe because it is unreasonable (a justification of faith on the basis that there is no need to understand—one does not need a rational explanation in matters spiritual).
credo: the opening of the Christian creed, means (quite literally) “I believe.”
cum grano salis: with grain of salt; with some allowance (implies a certain caution or reserve since salt was a valuable commodity in Rome. In fact, “salary” comes from “salarium,” money allotted to Roman soldiers for the purchase of salt=their pay).
cum laude: with praise (of academic distinctions: third).
de facto: on the basis of fact; in reality.
de iuve: that which exists legally.
de mortuis nil nisi bonum: (say) nothing but the good of the dead.
dominus vobiscum: the Lord be with you (used to bid farewell at the end of sermons; dominus tecum=singular).
e pluribus unum: motto of the USA indicating a single nation was made by uniting many states, means (quite literally) “one from many” (used in an ancient poem of the ingredients in a stew).
et alia: (et al.) and other things (written to avoid a lengthy listing of people; et alii=and other men; et aliae=and other women)
et cetera: (etc.) and the rest (used only with things not people).
ex nihilo nihil fit: nothing is made from nothing.
ex post facto: on the basis of something done afterwards; retro active.
ex tempore: out of the moment; ie. on the spur of the moment without preparation.
exempli gratia: (e.g.) for the sake of example (not “That is…”).
festina lente: make haste slowly (from Emperor Augustus, who moved cautiously, step-by-step to transform Rome into the empire sometimes cunningly, with tricks, or bad faith).
fiat: let it be done (a command given that will create something without further effort. Fiat money=not convertible into other money).
habeas corpus: a common law written requiring that a person be brought before a court without delay, means (quite literally) “that you may have the body.”
ibidem: in that same place (used to refer to a passage already cited).
ignis fatuus: a misleading or deluding goal, means (quite literally) “foolish fire,” or the will-o’-the-wisp since the light sometimes seen at night above marshy ground was thought to be caused from methane rising, anyone who attempted to follow such light is misled.
in esse: in being; existing.
in fragrante delicto: while the crime is blazing; (caught) in the act, similar to being caught “red-handed” since they are equal to “blazing hands.”
in loco parentis: this was shown in forms for medical purposes meaning the responsibility of guardianship (either formal or informal) over minors, means “in the place of a parent.”
in medias res: without preamble; in the midst of things, or (quite literally) “in the middle of things.”
in memoriam: to the memory of (widely used in inscriptions, epitaphs, etc.
in toto: on the whole (generally or entirely), or “for the most part.”
infra dignitatem: (scholars say ‘infra dig’) beneath one’s dignity.
inter alia: among other things.
ipse dixit: used as an assertion supported only by someone’s authority, means “he himself said so,” and often thought in the way of “without further proof” because they must be correct.
ipso facto: by that very fact. It is basically “absolutely” and “regardless of all other considerations of right and wrong.”
lapsus calami: a slip of the pen (an error made through carelessness in writing).
lapsus linguae: a slip of the tongue.
locum tenens: one holding a place; a substitute.
magna cum laude: with great praise (of academic distinctions: second).
magnum opus: a great work; master piece, but usually said of an artist’s greatest piece of art.
mea culpa: hear in confessional and certain Christian prayers meaning “by my fault.”
mens in sana in corpore sano: a sound mind in a sound body.
mirabile dictu: used when one wishes to express astonishment while recounting an event of overwhelming significance or accomplishments or irony, meaning “amazing to say.”
modus operandi: method (or manner) of working—is commonly used as M.O. (the pattern a criminal typically follows).
morituri te salutamus: Roman gladiators said this to Emperor Claudius, “we, destined to die, salute you.”
multum in parvo: used in praising a message or a reference book that conveys much info in a few words, meaning “much in little.”
nil desperandum: used as the “ol’ college spirit,” means (quite literally) “nothing is to be despaired” or “one must never lose hope.” A modern saying is, “the game ain’t over ‘til it’s over.”
non sequitur: a conclusion offered cannot justly be inferred from the premises, and means (quite literally) “it does not follow” (used usually of an illogicality).
novus ordo seclorum: on back of the one dollar bill, means “New order of the ages.”
omnia vincit amor: love conquers all
opus citatum: (op. cit.) used in footnotes to indicate reference to a work previously cited, means (quite literally) “the work previously cited.”
pax vobiscum: (Christ greeted the apostles with this on the first Easter morning) peace be with you.
per annum: by the year; annually.
per copita: used to denote pricing for parties, means “by heads; for each individual.”
per diem: by the day; each day.
per se: in itself; intrinsically.
post hoc ergo propter hoc: the false argument that any events which follow another must be a result of it, means (quite literally) “after this, therefore because of this.”
post meridiem: after noon. It is now globally used as “P.M.” on all clocks.
post mortem: after death (usually refers to an autopsy).
post scriptum: written afterwards (P.S.)
prima facie: by first appearance; obvious on the face of it (when used in law, a p.f. case is one based on facts legally sufficient to establish the case unless the facts presented are disproved).
pro bono publico: for the people’s good (“pro bono” cases=attorneys represent the poor, indigents, and forgo customary fees).
pro et contra: for and against.
pro forma: for form’s sake; as a matter of form (as a formality).
pro rata: according to a fixed (share); in proportion.
pro tempore: for the time being (chairmen are “pro tem” when he serves until a permanent chairperson is selected).
quid pro quo: something for something; something in return; this for this (“I will not give up that privilege without q.p.q.).
rara avis: a rare bird; an extraordinary person or thing.
requescat in pace: may he rest in peace.
senatus populusque romanus (S.P.Q.R.): the Senate and the Roman People (emblematic of their Constitutions).
seriatim: in series (scholarly term used to indicate that a publication is part of a series.
sine die: without a day; “don’t hold your breath;” until an unspecified date (National Dem. and Rep. Conventions end with this).
sine qua non: without which not; ie. an indispensable condition, a necessity.
status quo (ante bellum): the conditions in which (matters were) before.
summa cum difficultate: with greatest difficulty
summa cum laude: with highest honors and praise (of academic distinctions: first).
tabula rasa: a smoothed tablet; ie. a blank page (“’An adult who has ‘hunt and peck’-typed his whole life must become tabula rasa before he can learn the touch method”).
tempus fugit: time flies.
veni vidi vici: I came I saw I conquered.
verbatim: word by word; ie. in the same words.
versus: against
vice versa: the order having been changed; ie. conversely.
vivat: may he live; ie. long live _______.
vox Dei: the voice of God.
vox populi: the voice of the people.
ab ovo (usque ad mala): from the very beginning, or (quite literally) “from the egg to the apples,” another form of “from start to finish.”
ad hoc: usually an “ad hoc” committee is established to accomplish a particular task, an once the task is completed, the comittee is disbanded; means (quite literally) “for this.”
ad infinitum: to eternity; ie. forever.
ad nauseam: to the point of being disgusting, or (quite literally) “to nausea.”
alias (dictus): otherwise (named).
alibi: elsewhere evidence of absence from a given place.
alma mater: used usually of a school or college, means “foster mother/nurse” (Romans gave this epithet to Ceres and Cybele, as well as for their birth nation).
alumnus: used for a graduate of an alma mater, means “foster child/nurseling.”
anno domini: in the year of our lord. It is now globally used as “A.D.” regarding time in years.
annuity coeptis: on back of the one dollar bill, means “He has favored our undertakings.”
ante bellum: before the war.
ante meridiem: before noon. It is now globally used as “A.M.” on all clocks.
argumentum ex silentio: an argument based on silence; an attempt to prove something by the absence of evidence to the contrary (argumentum=“proof”).
ars gratia artis: MGM the motion picture producers use it as a part of their trademark, means (quite literally) “art for the sake of art (alone).”
bona fide: in good faith; real, without deceit (“bona fides” are credentials probing ones identity).
carpe diem: seize the day; ie. live in the present (exhortation used on maidens to give up their virginity and enjoy all pleasures of life).
cogito ergo sum: I think therefore I am.
credo quia absurdum est: I believe because it is unreasonable (a justification of faith on the basis that there is no need to understand—one does not need a rational explanation in matters spiritual).
credo: the opening of the Christian creed, means (quite literally) “I believe.”
cum grano salis: with grain of salt; with some allowance (implies a certain caution or reserve since salt was a valuable commodity in Rome. In fact, “salary” comes from “salarium,” money allotted to Roman soldiers for the purchase of salt=their pay).
cum laude: with praise (of academic distinctions: third).
de facto: on the basis of fact; in reality.
de iuve: that which exists legally.
de mortuis nil nisi bonum: (say) nothing but the good of the dead.
dominus vobiscum: the Lord be with you (used to bid farewell at the end of sermons; dominus tecum=singular).
e pluribus unum: motto of the USA indicating a single nation was made by uniting many states, means (quite literally) “one from many” (used in an ancient poem of the ingredients in a stew).
et alia: (et al.) and other things (written to avoid a lengthy listing of people; et alii=and other men; et aliae=and other women)
et cetera: (etc.) and the rest (used only with things not people).
ex nihilo nihil fit: nothing is made from nothing.
ex post facto: on the basis of something done afterwards; retro active.
ex tempore: out of the moment; ie. on the spur of the moment without preparation.
exempli gratia: (e.g.) for the sake of example (not “That is…”).
festina lente: make haste slowly (from Emperor Augustus, who moved cautiously, step-by-step to transform Rome into the empire sometimes cunningly, with tricks, or bad faith).
fiat: let it be done (a command given that will create something without further effort. Fiat money=not convertible into other money).
habeas corpus: a common law written requiring that a person be brought before a court without delay, means (quite literally) “that you may have the body.”
ibidem: in that same place (used to refer to a passage already cited).
ignis fatuus: a misleading or deluding goal, means (quite literally) “foolish fire,” or the will-o’-the-wisp since the light sometimes seen at night above marshy ground was thought to be caused from methane rising, anyone who attempted to follow such light is misled.
in esse: in being; existing.
in fragrante delicto: while the crime is blazing; (caught) in the act, similar to being caught “red-handed” since they are equal to “blazing hands.”
in loco parentis: this was shown in forms for medical purposes meaning the responsibility of guardianship (either formal or informal) over minors, means “in the place of a parent.”
in medias res: without preamble; in the midst of things, or (quite literally) “in the middle of things.”
in memoriam: to the memory of (widely used in inscriptions, epitaphs, etc.
in toto: on the whole (generally or entirely), or “for the most part.”
infra dignitatem: (scholars say ‘infra dig’) beneath one’s dignity.
inter alia: among other things.
ipse dixit: used as an assertion supported only by someone’s authority, means “he himself said so,” and often thought in the way of “without further proof” because they must be correct.
ipso facto: by that very fact. It is basically “absolutely” and “regardless of all other considerations of right and wrong.”
lapsus calami: a slip of the pen (an error made through carelessness in writing).
lapsus linguae: a slip of the tongue.
locum tenens: one holding a place; a substitute.
magna cum laude: with great praise (of academic distinctions: second).
magnum opus: a great work; master piece, but usually said of an artist’s greatest piece of art.
mea culpa: hear in confessional and certain Christian prayers meaning “by my fault.”
mens in sana in corpore sano: a sound mind in a sound body.
mirabile dictu: used when one wishes to express astonishment while recounting an event of overwhelming significance or accomplishments or irony, meaning “amazing to say.”
modus operandi: method (or manner) of working—is commonly used as M.O. (the pattern a criminal typically follows).
morituri te salutamus: Roman gladiators said this to Emperor Claudius, “we, destined to die, salute you.”
multum in parvo: used in praising a message or a reference book that conveys much info in a few words, meaning “much in little.”
nil desperandum: used as the “ol’ college spirit,” means (quite literally) “nothing is to be despaired” or “one must never lose hope.” A modern saying is, “the game ain’t over ‘til it’s over.”
non sequitur: a conclusion offered cannot justly be inferred from the premises, and means (quite literally) “it does not follow” (used usually of an illogicality).
novus ordo seclorum: on back of the one dollar bill, means “New order of the ages.”
omnia vincit amor: love conquers all
opus citatum: (op. cit.) used in footnotes to indicate reference to a work previously cited, means (quite literally) “the work previously cited.”
pax vobiscum: (Christ greeted the apostles with this on the first Easter morning) peace be with you.
per annum: by the year; annually.
per copita: used to denote pricing for parties, means “by heads; for each individual.”
per diem: by the day; each day.
per se: in itself; intrinsically.
post hoc ergo propter hoc: the false argument that any events which follow another must be a result of it, means (quite literally) “after this, therefore because of this.”
post meridiem: after noon. It is now globally used as “P.M.” on all clocks.
post mortem: after death (usually refers to an autopsy).
post scriptum: written afterwards (P.S.)
prima facie: by first appearance; obvious on the face of it (when used in law, a p.f. case is one based on facts legally sufficient to establish the case unless the facts presented are disproved).
pro bono publico: for the people’s good (“pro bono” cases=attorneys represent the poor, indigents, and forgo customary fees).
pro et contra: for and against.
pro forma: for form’s sake; as a matter of form (as a formality).
pro rata: according to a fixed (share); in proportion.
pro tempore: for the time being (chairmen are “pro tem” when he serves until a permanent chairperson is selected).
quid pro quo: something for something; something in return; this for this (“I will not give up that privilege without q.p.q.).
rara avis: a rare bird; an extraordinary person or thing.
requescat in pace: may he rest in peace.
senatus populusque romanus (S.P.Q.R.): the Senate and the Roman People (emblematic of their Constitutions).
seriatim: in series (scholarly term used to indicate that a publication is part of a series.
sine die: without a day; “don’t hold your breath;” until an unspecified date (National Dem. and Rep. Conventions end with this).
sine qua non: without which not; ie. an indispensable condition, a necessity.
status quo (ante bellum): the conditions in which (matters were) before.
summa cum difficultate: with greatest difficulty
summa cum laude: with highest honors and praise (of academic distinctions: first).
tabula rasa: a smoothed tablet; ie. a blank page (“’An adult who has ‘hunt and peck’-typed his whole life must become tabula rasa before he can learn the touch method”).
tempus fugit: time flies.
veni vidi vici: I came I saw I conquered.
verbatim: word by word; ie. in the same words.
versus: against
vice versa: the order having been changed; ie. conversely.
vivat: may he live; ie. long live _______.
vox Dei: the voice of God.
vox populi: the voice of the people.
