Some Latin has an obvious presence in our language. By obvious I mean that the Latin is still in its original form and English hasn't changed it so that it looks like an original English word. Make sense?
Abbreviations
i.e.
Stands For: id est
Meaning: that is (to say)
e.g.
Stands For: exempli gratia
Meaning: for the sake of an example, for example
etc.
Stands For: et cetera
Meaning: and the rest
a.m.
Stands For: ante meridiem
Meaning: before midday
p.m.
Stands For: post meridiem
Meaning: after midday
RIP
Stands For: requiescat in pace
Meaning: may he/she/it rest in peace. From the verb "requiesco" in the subjunctive* 3rd person singular. "Pace" is the ablative* form of pax, meaning peace.
Luckily it translates very nicely with the same initials and same meaning in English.
Phrases
per diem
Literal: for the day
Modern Meaning: a business stipend for necessary items
exit
Literal: he/she/it goes out. From the verb exeo conjugated in 3rd person singular
Modern Meaning: A verb with the meaning to leave, or a noun meaning a place to leave.
alter ego
Literal: the other/a second I/me
Modern Meaning: another self, a second identity
ad hoc
Literal: for this
Modern Meaning: for this purpose only
sic
Literal: thus
Modern Meaning: Used to show that some mistake in writing was already there and isn't a typo.
via
Literal: road, journey, method. In the ablative, by way of
Modern Meaning: by way of
That's it for now. I don't want to give away all my knowledge. I have to have something left for next week you know.
* See side panel "Explanation of Grammar Terms"
No comments:
Post a Comment