Brent Batten: Latin is all Greek to me

By BRENT BATTEN (Contact)
Wednesday, December 19, 2007

“Gloria in excelsis deo,’’ is not a comment on that girl in the Van Morrison song.

Those of us who bought into the “Latin is a dead language’’ argument in school can get confused this time of year, when the supposedly dead language comes to life in celebrations of the season.

But it’s not just Christmas that can throw us. Latin pops up all year long, from the courts to the crosswords, and every place in between.

For those who don’t realize the Romans’ way of saying “Glory to God in the highest’’ has nothing to do with a song remade by Jimi Hendrix, here are some other commonly used Latin phrases, along with an explanation of what each is, and is not.

Ad hoc: Is: for a particular purpose. Is not: selling newspaper classifieds.

Ad hominem: Is: appealing to a person’s physical and emotional urges, rather than to the intellect. Is not: a word that sounds like “add.’’

Ad valorem: Is: by the value of, such as a tax based on the value on a property. Is not: a tax so high it makes you want to take a pill.

Ante meridiem (a.m.): Is: before midday. Is not: the minimum stake to get into a poker game at a Mississippi casino.

Carpe diem: Is: seize the day. Is not: a Vietnamese fish.

Ego: Is: consciousness of one’s own identity. Is not: a frozen waffle.

Ergo: Is: therefore. Is not: a frozen waffle.

Ex officio: Is: by virtue of his office. Is not: a divorce lawyer.

Ex parte: Is: by only one party to a dispute in the absence of the other. Is not: the celebration you have when your divorce becomes final.

In camera: Is: in private chamber. Is not: An iPhone.

In posse: Is: a possibility. Is not: Kanye West’s entourage.

Obiter: Is: in passing. Is not: the space shuttle.

Pendente lite: Is: while a suit is pending. Is not: a low-calorie version of Pendente.

Primum mobile: Is: prime mover. Is not: the most expensive grade of gasoline.

Pro bono: Is: for the good of the public. Is not: U.S. Rep. Connie Mack.

Pro tempore: Is: for the time being. Is not: what John McEnroe used to unleash on linesmen.

Recto: Is: on the right. Is not: a prostate exam.

Sequens: Is: the following one. Is not: what you put on a dress to make it shiny.

Sic: Is: thus, just so. Is not: get ‘im, Fido.

Sine cura: Is: without a care. Is not: nasal spray.

Sub lite: Is: in dispute. Is not: a turkey sandwich, hold the mayo.

Festivus: Is not: A celebration invented by Frank Costanza. Is: Happy Holidays.