Many of us have enjoyed using the archaic word "lustrum" on this forum. As most of you know, a lustrum is a period of five years and it dates back to the 5-year census in ancient Rome. It may have gained popularity here from its use in the John Wayne movie Rooster Cogburn.
I don't know much Latin, but "lustrum" is a singular neuter word. When a word with the "um" ending is made plural, it should end with an "a", so more than one lustrum is "lustra", not "lustrums" (although through popular misuse it has become somewhat acceptable). I try not be too pedantic, but I find myself wanting to correct it when I see "lustrums". I want to say... OK, I often say out loud, "lustra"! On the other hand, some years ago when the agency where I worked chose the Ford Taurus as a part of their fleet of vehicles, I kept referring to them collectively as "tauri", so I recognize that I'm a little strange. ;D
Griff
And I only figured out a few days ago just what "Luddite" referred to and now I have to become familiar with "lustrum"?
Griff, I totally agree. Whenever I see someone say "several lustrum ago" (especially Coffinmaker :D ) I think to myself, it's Lustra! But I see that Merriam-Webster has caved and now both lustrums and lustra are acceptable. :)
Howdy Coal Creek,
I don't no nothin about no latin and far be it from me to question your erudition. However, "lustra" sounds like a furniture wax from the 50's
Rev. Chase
Quote from: Reverend P. Babcock Chase on September 12, 2024, 02:23:56 PMHowdy Coal Creek,
I don't no nothin about no latin and far be it from me to question your erudition. However, "lustra" sounds like a furniture wax from the 50's
Rev. Chase
Ha! You're right!
Now I need to find an occasion to say "Tauri"!
Another one that bugs me (when it shouldn't) is "alumni", which is plural. You can be a member of an alumni association, but you can't be an alumni of a school -- you're either an "alumnus" (if you're a man) or an "alumna" (if you're a woman). If it's a group of all women, the word is "alumnae". "Alumni" refers to a group of all men or a mixture of men and women. I'm all the time hearing things like, "I'm an alumni of this university" and I can sometimes be heard mumbling under my breath, "Maybe you should go back and take another class."
Griff
Carthaginem esse delendam
Vini vidi vici
Alea iacta est
Auribus teneo lupum
Acta non verba
Deus ex machina
CAESAR NON SUPRA GRAMMATICOS
Vulnerant omnes, ultima necat
Audaces fortuna juvat
Dum spiro, spero
Fortis fortuna adiuvat
Ave, Imperator, morituri te salutant
Panem et circenses
Carpe diem
Carpe noctem
Amor vincit omnia
Cogito ergo sum
In vino veritas
Caeruleum calamum est in mensa
And finally
Non carborundum illigitimi
"C'mon. Boys. We don't want any trouble in here. Not in any language." Fred White
Cogito ergo sum
To be, or not to be: that is the question.
"Dooby-dooby-do!" - F. Sinatra
Forty Two
XLII
101010
Do you guys stay up all night thinking of such things?
always my favorite.... Semper Fidelis
My mother had a saying "Keep to the right and you will never get left behind"
Latin: it's all greek to me... ???
+ I like to quote Rowan Atkinson's character "Blackadder": "No speako dego!" :P
(Ah hain't jest pertendin' ter be a redneck, y'all.) ;D
:) Ha!! and Ha!! ::)
I admit to being a user of "Lustrum" in describing certain periods of elapsed time. I also admit to being almost totally ignorant of Latin (the DEAD language).
I can, of course, thoroughly appreciate C C Griff's marvelous lesson of latin, but must admit I DON'T CARE (So take that Abilene). I like describing a longer period as "Several Lustrum" as opposed to "Lustra" which sounds like adding a sheen to a table top, or some such. Besides, my spell checker doesn't recognize Lustra as a correct spelling, although my biggest bugga boo "irregardless" is also now included in Funk & Wagnalls as being a wurd.
I do however, take great exception to The Good Perffesser Marvelous including a whole bunch of latin stuff, of which I have no clue and thus, unable to respond. Oh Sure, when as a child singing in the choir, I use to sing in latin, but had no clue what the music actually meant. At this point, I don't really care as I am still in recovery.
Fortunately, I don't qualify as an Alumnus. Unless being an Old Retired Fart (Ex Mil.) qualifies, but then perhaps I would be labeled as Alumni?? But, does it really matter at all?? In the long view, I still do appreciate learning Lustra is more appropriate although I will resist the temptation to be "correct" and remain obstinate in my imperfect use of LUSTRUM!! So There!! Take That!! ;D
You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink. ;D
Google Translate was a great help with the marvelous professor's phrase dump (and occasionally quite entertaining).
I guess I are an "alumnus" because I did attend school, but I don't seem to be included in any of the "alumni" activities. Not because I am not invited, but because I just don't go.
Coffinmaker, you just go right ahead with lustrum. Irregardlessly, we know what you mean! :)
Alumnus...hmm, isn't that the foil stuff we make our brainwave-blocking hats out of?
My "chuckles per post" ratio is higher than average for this thread. Thanks, fellas!
I too shall continue to utilize Lustrum vs Lustra since it is directly associated with Rooster Cogburn...
My dear Coffin - I too have virtually no knowledge of Latin, and my Phrase dump is literslly
A collection of phrases I have found amusing gleaned from various movies and an occasional Ancient Quote!
BTW did anyone catch the "ringer" I threw in?
As always I am delighted to offer some meager entertainment value.
My good Coal, I am gratified that you took it as the humor it was meant!
Yhs
Provel rambles
Ps
Et in Terra Pox
But
Si vis pacem, para bellum
One of my favorites was from Lonesome Dove:
Uva Uvam Vivendo Varia Fit.
Never did figur' out what that had to do with rentin' pigs ::) ::)
One of my favorites is:
"malo periculosam libertatem quam quietam servitutem"
It appears in a letter written by Thomas Jefferson on January 30, 1787, although he is quoting an ancient source. The statement can be translated, "I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful servitude." I agree with that statement. I'm not willing to trade freedom for security. The phrase "dangerous freedom" appears in various of my signature lines online, in letters, etc., although not here for some reason...
Griff
Sed quis custodiet ipsos custodes? Who will guard the guards themselves?
Illigitimae non carborundum! ;D
:) Ha!! ;)
I think being able to laugh with friends and acquaintances is a very important element of having a really good day. All too often we take ourselves way too serious.
Now, I have to go back get transitions of Perfesser Marvel's drops. I actually didn't know I could do that. After all, I do be a Luddite. Now, where'd I leave my stubby pencil ?????
Quote from: Coffinmaker on September 15, 2024, 09:02:39 AMI think being able to laugh with friends and acquaintances is a very important element of having a really good day. All too often we take ourselves way too serious
My sentiments exactly.
One of the hazards of aging is the tendency to stop socializing.
Well since mi amigo intertnetta ( pig spanglish) Herr Coffin asked, I will oroceed to use my secret decoder ring for the benefit of the audience
;)
Since I am not a "joiner" I really cannot claim to being a Luddite, howver I myself do like to throw Wooden Shoes ( sabots ) into the works as reqd.
Yhs
Prf mumbles
Firstus
Ceterum (autem) censeo Carthaginem esse delendam
"Furthermore, I consider Carthage to need to be destroyed"
often abbreviated to Carthago delenda est ("Carthage must be destroyed"), is a Latin oratorical phrase
pronounced by Cato the Elder. The phrase originates from debates held in the Roman Senate prior to the
Third Punic War (149–146 BC) between Rome and Carthage.
Cato is said to have used the phrase as the conclusion to all his speeches, to push for the war.
"Veni, vidi, vici".
"I came; I saw; I conquered"
The phrase is popularly attributed to Julius Caesar who used the phrase in a letter to the Roman Senate around
47 BC after he had achieved a quick victory in his short war against Pharnaces II of Pontus at the Battle of Zela
Oh yes do not trust google translate for classical latin phrases...
Unless you like being amused
Secondus
Alea iacta est
The die is cast
attributed to Julius Caesar on 10 January 49 BC, as he led his army across the Rubicon river in Northern Italy.
According to Roman law, troops (more than just bodyguards) could not cross the Rubicon River, ensuring that no one could enter Rome with forces large enouh to be considered a threat of invasion.
With this step, he entered Italy at the head of his army in defiance of the Senate and began his long civil war against Pompey and the Optimates.
Thirdus
Auribus teneo lupum
Holding a wolf by its ears.
A common ancient proverb, this version from Terence. It indicates that one is in a dangerous situation where both holding on and letting go could be deadly.
Fourthus
Acta non verba
Common proverb: Action, not words
Manyus (toldja i dont know latin)
Deus ex machina
Literally god from the machine
The term was coined from the conventions of ancient Greek theater, where actors who were playing gods were brought on stage using a machine. Usually a crane.
Commonly, Deus ex machina is a plot device whereby a seemingly unsolvable problem in a story is suddenly resolved by an unexpected and unlikely occurrence.
CAESAR NON SUPRA GRAMMATICOS
"Caesar is not superior to the grammarians."
meaning that knowledge (in this case grammar), comes before power.
Vulnerant omnes, ultima necat
All hours wound; the last one kills. It is seen on sundials and clocks.
Audaces fortuna juvat
fortune favors the bold. Attributed to Terrance. Looks like Terrance liked to give speeches....
Dum spiro, spero
Literally while I breathe there is hope.
Greek poet Theocritus wrote: "While there's life there's hope, and only the dead have none."
It became common by the time of Roman statesman Cicero who Wrote "dum spiro spero" to a friend.
It is not an insult to Spiro Agnew.
Fortis fortuna adiuvat
Different form of fortune favores the bold
More later
Hey you guys SAID it was too slow around here....
I have enjoyed this thread!
The only Latin I claim to have memories of, is a beautiful little Latina Lady when I was a very young man..... ::)
I used to be an Altar Boy when I was in grade school. We had to memorize the prayers in Latin. Never knew what they meant.
Deacon & Johnny
I appreciate your appreciation! We really do need a like button.
Johnny - i can relate! For some odd reason "they" never seemed to think it was important for the Altar Boys or the Choir to understand what we were saying....
Aaaaand back then we did not have google to help us. Had to rely either on the other kids in Latin class (if you trusted them) or the Latin Teacher. Somehow the Sky Pilots were too swamped with other important stuff.
Yhs
praeceptor miraculum
More later
Ave, Imperator, morituri te salutant
Hail, Emperor, those who are about to die salute you
Well known gladiator phrase attributed to a mock naval event in the coloseum presided over by Claudius.
Panem et circenses
Bread and circuses
From Satire X by Juvenal:
" Already long ago, from when we sold our vote to no man, the People have abdicated our duties; for the People who once upon a time handed out military command, high civil office, legions — everything, now restrains itself and anxiously hopes for just two things: bread and circuses"
Carpe diem
Carpe noctem
sieze the day, sieze the night
Amor vincit omnia
Love Conquers All
From a buncha poems called Eclogues By Virgil
Cogito ergo sum
"I think, therefore I am"
the "first principle" of René Descartes's philosophy. First lublished in french, later in latin.
In vino veritas
in wine, there is truth',
Often attributed to Pliny the Elder, suggesting a person under the influence of alcohol is more likely to speak their hidden thoughts.
Caeruleum calamum est in mensa
The blue pen is on the table ... one of my little jokes
Sic transit gloria mundi
Often translated as "All glory is fleeting" but literally literally "Thus passes the glory of the world".
I got this one from the Movie "Patton" which I saw whilst still in high school and it stuck with me.
Yhs
praeceptor miraculum
A very enjoyable thread, this is.
¿Más, por favór. (Not Latin ;D )