Latin Blog 2b: Ad Hoc; Ad Hominem; Ad Nauseam

Product Details

LATIN BLOG 2b:
Understanding Latin Phrases Used in Everyday Language

Andrew Yiannakis,  Ph.D.
Research Professor
University of New Mexico

In this series of blogs I shall be covering over thirty Latin phrases that are frequently used in everyday language.

LATIN BLOG 2b includes the terms:

i.  Ad Hoc
ii. Ad Hominem
iii. Ad Nauseam

1. Ad Hoc

Ad hoc literally means “for this” in Latin, and in English it means “for this specific purpose”. For example,  issues that come up in the course of a project often require immediate action. An ad hoc committee will therefore be formed  to look into the matter.

Ad hoc also implies a temporary form of action in which the selected committee dissolves soon after the task is completed.

2. Ad Hominem

Literally “to the man”. Attacking an opponent’s character rather than addressing his/her argument. Example:  An ad hominem attack.

3. Ad Nauseam

From the Latin “nausea”, meaning illness,  disgust or repugnance.

The phrase refers to something that is taken to a sickening or disgusting degree as in,  “he extolled Trump’s virtues at nauseam”, meaning he went on and on to a sickening or disgusting degree.

Unknown's avatar

Author: andrewyiannakis

Andrew Yiannakis, Ph.D., is currently a Research Professor at the University of New Mexico (USA). He is also Professor Emeritus from the University of Connecticut where he taught the Sociology of Leisure, Tourism & Sport, as well as Research Methods and Computer Applications. He also holds the rank of 8th Dan in Traditional Jujutsu and a 6th Dan in Traditional Kodokan Judo. He is the Director of the Institute of Traditional Martial Arts at the University of New Mexico. He is also the Chair of the Traditional Jujutsu Committee of the USJJF. As an amateur historian, he has led several expeditions to Greece to conduct research at Thermopylae, and locate the path the Persians used in 480 BC to encircle, and defeat King Leonidas and the Greek allies. Prof. Yiannakis has published extensively in a number of areas.

Leave a comment