Miles Kington Latin D. H. Mellor
Latin Tourist Phrase Book
compiled by Miles Kington in response to the Vatican's
support for Latin as the European language and reproduced here with
his permission.
Quid pro quo: the sterling exchange rate Post hoc propter hoc: a little more white wine wouldn't hurt us Ad hoc: wine not included Adsum: small extras on the bill Exempli gratia: token tip Infra dig: terrible accommodation Primus inter pares: the stove has fallen in the fire Compos mentis: mint sauce Carpe diem: fish frying tonight Non anglii, sed angeli: fishing absolutely prohibited Curriculum: Indian restaurant Casus belli: gastro-enteritis Sic transit gloria mundi: the nausea will pass away, and
you'll be fine by Monday O tempora o mores!: The Times is no more, alas! Quis custodiet custodes ipsos: do you keep the Guardian? Post meridiem: the Mail does not arrive until midday Fiat lux: car wash Rara avis: no car hire available Volenti non fit injuria: the accident was caused by a badly
fitted steering wheel Reductio ad absurdum: road narrows Nil obstat: River Nile impassable Nil desperandum: River Nile overflowing De minimis non curat lex: Lex garages cannot undertake to
service small cars
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Terminus ad quem: bus station for Quem (small Romanian town) Caeteris paribus: restaurant facilities are available on the
Paris coach Post mortem: mail strike Expostfacto: not known at this address Sub rosa: rather unattractive Italian girl Sal volatile: rather attractive Italian girl Gloria in excelsis: very attractive Italian girl Noli me tangere: I do not wish to dance with you Ars longa, vita brevis: unsuitable bathing costume (literally:
big bottom, small briefs) Hic jacet: old-fashioned coat Ecce homo: gay bar Timeo Danaos et Dona Ferentes: that nice couple we met in Portugal Mens sana: male massage parlour Ex libris: dirty books Ex cathedra: ruined church Inter alia: an Italian airline Summa cum laude: peak holiday period In loco parentis: railway family compartment Quondam: part of Holland reclaimed from the sea Dum spiro: stupid Greek person Festina lente: shops shut on Continent (literally: Lenten
holiday) Aut Caesar aut nihil: an Italian football result Tertium quid: 33p
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Restructured 11 December 2019