Latin Blog 3: De Facto; Caveat Emptor; Bona Fide

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LATIN BLOG 3:
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 3 includes the terms:

i. De Facto
ii. Caveat Emptor
iii. Bona Fide

1. De Facto

In fact; in reality.

For example,  “although the King’s brother held no official titles,  he served as the de facto ruler of the Kingdom”.

2. Caveat Emptor

“Cavere” is the Latin verb to beware. “Emptor” means buyer.

Literally means “may the buyer beware”! This is a cautionary note in commercial transactions warning the buyer to exercise caution,  especially when no warranties come with the purchase.

3. Bona Fide

From the Latin meaning “in good faith”. Other meanings include real,  authentic,  sincere or genuine.

Used as in “Linda made a bona fide offer to buy the house”. The phrase implies that no fraud or deceit was involved.

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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.

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