Category: ENGLISH GRAMMAR MADE EASY

Ecce Homo

Ecce= Behold
Homo= Man

“Behold the man!” The words with which Pontius Pilate presented Christ, crowned with thorns, to his accusers (John 19:5).

Mea Culpa

Mea= My
Culpa= Fault

In English we get culpable and culpability

Noun
A statement in which a person admits that it’s his/her fault.
A formal acknowledgment of personal fault or error.

Examples (various uses)

1. Mea culpa, it’s my fault!
2. Go to confession and say “mea culpa”!
3. Whose fault was that?  “Mea culpa”,
   John admitted.
4. The mayor’s public mea culpa failed
   to appease his critics.

Terra Firma

The solid part of the earth’s surface.
= dry land, earth, solid ground

Example

After a nightmarish storm the sailors were overjoyed and relieved to reach terra firma

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

 

LATIN BLOG #10 includes the terms:  E PLURIBUS UNUM; IN EXTREMIS; EX TEMPORE

1. E PLURIBUS UNUM

Out of many, one (motto of the U.S., appearing on most U.S. currency and on the Great Seal of the United States).

The traditionally understood meaning of the phrase was that out of many states (or colonies) emerges a single nation. However, in recent years its meaning has come to suggest that out of many peoples, races, religions, languages, and ancestries has emerged a single people and nation—illustrating the concept of the U.S. serving as a melting pot.

2. IN EXTREMIS (adverb)

In extremis is a Latin phrase that literally means “in the farthest reaches”. Common usage meanings include:

In extreme circumstances
In a very difficult situation
At the point of death (medical meaning)

3. EX TEMPORE

(i) Adverb

On the spur of the moment; without premeditation or preparation; offhand.

For example,  “questions were permitted  ex tempore from the audience”.

Also to speak “ex tempore” means to speak without notes;  off the cuff.

In a musical performance “to play by improvisation”.

(ii) Adjective

extemporaneous; impromptu

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

 LATIN BLOG #9 includes the terms “ad valorem”, “ad infinitum” and “ad lib”:

1. Ad Valorem (adverb)

A term that refers to the proportion of the estimated value of the goods taxed.  For example,  “the goods were taxed ad valorem”, meaning that the goods were taxed in proportion to their estimated tax value.

2. Ad Infinitum (adverb or adjective)

Without an end or limit. For ever.  For example,  “he spoke at infinitum about the virtues of his son”, or “she talked on and on ad infinitum”!

3. Ad Lib

Noun:  Something improvised in speech, music, etc. For example,  “John, was that talk an ad lib or did you use a prepared script”?

Verb:  To ad lib.  To improvise all or part of a speech, a piece of music, etc. To act or speak without preparation.  For example,  “to ad-lib one’s lines”.

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

 

 

 

 

LATIN BLOG 8: 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 used in everyday language.

LATIN BLOG 8 includes the terms:

i. SPQR
ii. Q.E.D.
iii. Mens Sana in Corpore Sano

1. SPQR (abbreviation)

Latin origin: Senatus Populusque Romanus,  which translates as:   “The Senate and the people of Rome”. Thus,  SPQR was used to reinforce the notion that the Senate and the people of Rome were members of the new Republic,  which was formed circa 80 BC.

2. Q.E.D.

Q.E.D. is an abbreviaton for “Quod Erat Demonstrandum”, which means “what was to be demonstrated”. Typically used as a term to indicate the completion of a mathematical problem,  or proof.

3. Mens Sana In Corpore Sano

This phrase is often quoted to support the proposition of “a healthy mind in a healthy body”. However,  the full quote suggests a slightly different meaning as in:  “Orandum Est Ut Sit Mens Sana in Corpore Sano”.  The whole quote translates as:  “It is to be hoped (or prayed)  that there is a healthy mind in a healthy body”, implying that a healthy body isn’t always associated with a healthy mind! However,  the notion of having a healthy mind and a healthy body are goals worth striving for.

LATIN BLOG 7: 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 used in everyday language.

LATIN BLOG 7 includes the terms:

i. Prima Facie
ii.  Pro Rata
iii.  Per Se

1. PRIMA  FACIE

True, valid, or sufficient at first look,  or first impression;  self evident at first glance.

In law,  the prima facie evidence is legally sufficient to establish a fact or a case,  until it’s disproved.

Examples
A prima facie case of tax fraud,  meaning that the initial evidence is indicative of possible tax fraud.  However,  it may still need to be proven with more robust evidence.

2. PRO RATA (adjective)

According to a certain rate. Proportionately determined.

Example:  A pro-rata share of the income.
That is,  a share of the income that’s based on a certain rate.

3. PER SE

By, of, for, in itself, as such.

Example:   This candidate is not a pacifist per se, but he is in favor of peaceful solutions when available.

LATIN BLOG 6: 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 used in everyday language.

LATIN BLOG 6 includes the terms:

i. Ipso facto
ii. e.g. and i.e.
iii. In loco parentis

1.  IPSO FACTO (adverb)

Because of that very fact,  or act: because of the fact that has just been mentioned; by the fact itself.

Example:
The enemy of my enemy may be,  ipso facto,  my friend.

2.  e.g. and i.e.

e.g. =Abbreviation meaning “for example”.

Example: Products imported from many countries, e.g., France, Germany and England,  may be subject to additional taxes.

Origin: Latin “exempli gratia”.

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i.e. =Abbreviation meaning “that is”.

Example:  Allegations of a rigged election,  i.e., voter fraud,  have been greatly exaggerated.

Origin:  Latin “id est”.

iii.  IN LOCO PARENTIS (adverb)

In the place or role of a parent.

Example: School officials are often expected to act “in loco parentis”.

LATIN BLOG 5: 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 used in everyday language.

LATIN BLOG 5 includes the terms:

i. Sine Qua Non
ii. Sui Generis
iii. Cogito Ergo Sum

1. SINE QUA NON

Something absolutely indispensable or essential.  Something we can’t do without.

Example:
Reliability is a sine qua non for success.

2. SUI GENERIS
Unique.  In a class or group of its own;  not like anything else;  without parallel.

Example:
Among history’s greats Leonardo da Vinci is often considered sui generis (unlike anyone else), a genius  the world may never see again.

3. COGITO ERGO SUM
Cogito:  I think
Ergo:  Therefore
Sum:  I am

I think, therefore I am (stated by Descartes as the first principle in resolving universal doubt about one’s existence).

LATIN BLOG 4: 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 4 includes the terms:

i. In toto
ii. In vitro
iii. In situ

1. In TOTO
As a whole,  totally or entirely

Example:
The judge accepted her testimony in toto.

2. In VITRO ( in a glass). From Latin “vitrum”, meaning glass.  Originally used as in a test tube (which was made of glass).

Literally in a glass environment;  later generalized to mean in an artificial environment outside the body.

Example:  In vitro fertilization

3. In SITU (from Latin situs,  meaning place or location). In English we get such terms as situate,  situation,  and the like.

The place where something exists or originates; in the original position or place.

Example:  “the dinosaur bones were found in situ”, meaning in their original place.

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.