Buzz
You might be amazed at how many Latin terms you already use without realizing it. Everyday English is filled with Latin-derived words such as memo, alibi, agenda, census, veto, alias, via, alumni, affidavit, and versus, as well as abbreviations like i.e. (id est, meaning 'that is') and etc. (et cetera, meaning 'and the rest'). Additionally, entire Latin phrases like bona fide ('in good faith'), alter ego ('other self'), persona non grata ('unwelcome person'), vice versa ('position turned'), carpe diem ('seize the day'), cum laude ('with praise'), alma mater ('nourishing mother'), and quid pro quo ('something for something') are seamlessly integrated into English.
Beyond these familiar examples, English has also adopted numerous lesser-known Latin phrases that are often overlooked. Here are 20 underutilized Latin expressions that deserve more attention. Whether you encounter a misbehaving child or wish to embrace the night instead of the day, you'll have the perfect phrase ready to use.
1. AURIBUS TENEO LUPUM
While it may sound unusual to claim you're 'holding a wolf by the ears,' the phrase auribus teneo lupum—originating from Terence's play Phormio (c. 161 BCE)—was a well-known proverb in Ancient Rome. Similar to 'holding a tiger by the tail,' it describes a precarious situation where both inaction and action carry equal risks.
2. BARBA TENUS SAPIENTES
The term barba tenus sapientes translates to 'wise as far as his beard,' implying someone who appears intelligent but lacks true wisdom. This is among several Roman phrases linking beards to intellect, such as barba non facit philosophum ('a beard does not make a philosopher') and barba crescit caput nescit ('the beard grows, but the head doesn’t grow wiser').
3. BRUTUM FULMEN
Attributed to Pliny the Elder, a brutum fulmen refers to a harmless or meaningless threat. Its literal translation is 'senseless thunderbolt.'
4. CAESAR NON SUPRA GRAMMATICOS
During a 1414 address to the Council of Constance, Holy Roman Emperor Sigismund of Luxembourg mistakenly used the Latin word schisma ('schism') with the wrong gender—it should be neuter, but he used it as feminine. When corrected, Sigismund defiantly declared that, as Emperor, he could change its gender. A council member reportedly retorted, 'Caesar non supra grammaticos' ('The Emperor is not above the grammarians'), a phrase that became a celebrated defense of proper grammar and spelling.
5. CARPE NOCTEM
Carpe noctem, meaning 'seize the night,' serves as the nighttime counterpart to carpe diem. It encourages making the most of nighttime hours, whether by working late to complete tasks or enjoying evening activities after a productive day.
6. CARTHAGO DELENDA EST
During the Punic Wars (264-146 BCE), Cato the Elder, a Roman statesman, famously concluded every Senate speech with the phrase 'Carthago delenda est' ('Carthage must be destroyed'). This rallying cry became a popular slogan in Ancient Rome and is now used figuratively to express unwavering support for a cause or idea.
7. CASTIGAT RIDENDO MORES
The Latin phrase castigat ridendo mores, meaning 'laughing corrects morals,' was coined by French poet Jean de Santeul (1630-97). It highlights the power of satire in driving social change, suggesting that exposing the absurdity of rules is an effective way to reform them.
8. CORVUS OCULUM CORVI NON ERUIT
The saying corvus oculum corvi non eruit translates to 'a crow will not pull out the eye of another crow.' It symbolizes loyalty within a group, akin to 'honor among thieves,' where individuals stand by each other despite external criticism or consequences.
9. CUI BONO?
The Latin phrase cui bono?, meaning 'who benefits?,' is a legal expression used to suggest that the person who stands to gain the most from a crime is likely the perpetrator. In broader terms, it’s employed to question the purpose or advantages of an action.
10. ET IN ARCADIA EGO
Arcadia, a serene region in Ancient Greece, symbolized a peaceful, pastoral life. The phrase et in Arcadia ego ('even in Arcadia, here I am') originates from a painting by Nicholas Poussin (1594-1665), depicting shepherds near a tomb. Often interpreted as a reminder of mortality, the 'I' is thought to represent Death, emphasizing that no one escapes fate, regardless of their idyllic life.
11. EX NIHILO NIHIL FIT
Attributed to the Roman philosopher Lucretius, the Latin phrase ex nihilo nihil fit translates to 'nothing comes from nothing.' It serves as a reminder that effort and dedication are essential to achieving meaningful results.
12. FELIX CULPA
Originally a theological concept tied to the Fall of Man and the sins of Adam and Eve, felix culpa means 'happy fault.' It describes a mistake or misfortune that unexpectedly leads to positive outcomes.
13. HANNIBAL AD PORTAS
Hannibal, a Carthaginian general during the Punic Wars, launched numerous attacks against Rome in the 2nd century BCE, becoming a feared figure. Roman parents would warn misbehaving children with the phrase Hannibal ad portas ('Hannibal is at the gates') to instill fear and encourage good behavior.
14. HIC MANEBIMUS OPTIME
During the Gallic invasion of Rome in 390 BCE, the Senate debated whether to abandon the city for the safety of Veii. Livy recounts that centurion Marcus Furius Camillus declared, 'hic manebimus optime!' ('here we will stay, most excellently!'). This phrase has since symbolized unwavering resolve to remain steadfast in the face of adversity.
15. HOMO SUM HUMANI A ME NIHIL ALIENUM PUTO
Taken from Terence's play Heauton Timorumenos (The Self-Tormentor), the phrase homo sum humani a me nihil alienum puto translates to 'I am a human being, so nothing human is strange to me.' Originally a character's retort to minding his own business, it has evolved into a motto promoting empathy and respect for diverse cultures and people.
16. IGNOTUM PER IGNOTIUS
Also called obscurum per obscurius ('the obscure by the more obscure'), the expression ignotum per ignotius ('the unknown by the more unknown') describes an explanation that is as unclear as—or even more confusing than—the concept it tries to clarify. For example, explaining obscurum per obscurius by saying it means the same as ignotum per ignotius would be a perfect illustration.
17. IMPERIUM IN IMPERIO
The Latin phrase imperium in imperio, meaning 'an empire within an empire,' can describe a self-governing state within a larger one, a rebellious region seeking independence, or a group within an organization that operates semi-independently but remains accountable to a higher authority.
18. PANEM ET CIRCENSES
Panem et circenses, or 'bread and circuses,' refers to the essentials of food and entertainment needed to satisfy the populace. This phrase originates from Juvenal's Satires, written in the 1st-2nd century CE, highlighting the basic desires that keep people content.
19. VELOCIUS QUAM ASPARAGI COQUANTUR
The Romans used the phrase velocius quam asparagi coquantur ('faster than cooking asparagus') to describe something happening very quickly. Though some attribute this saying to Emperor Augustus, there is little evidence to confirm its origin.
20. VOX NIHILI
While vox populi means 'the voice of the people,' vox nihili translates to 'the voice of nothing.' It refers to a statement that is entirely meaningless or a textual error where one word is mistakenly replaced by another, such as an Autocorrect blunder.
