5 Useful Latin Phrases
Archives: It's Good/Fun to Know
• ne plus ultra (nay ploos UL-trah) – literally “not further beyond” – is perfection, the highest point of excellence or achievement.
• persona non grata (per-SOH-nah nohn GRAH-tah) – literally “person not pleasing” – is someone who, for some reason, is not wanted or welcome.
• quid pro quo (kwid proh KWOH) – literally “something for nothing” – is an equal exchange or substitution.
• sine qua non (sin-neh kwah NOHN) – literally “without which not” – is an essential, crucial, or indispensable element or condition.
• sui generis (SOO-ee JEN-er-is) – literally “of its own kind” – describes a person or thing that is unique, in a class by itself.
Most useful information I have received in this week.
I’m a reasonably intelligent woman who never came upon these old Latin phrases during my school days. At times, I’ve been frustrated by a printed reference to one of these e.g. “quid pro quo” having heard the term many times but still not understanding its true meaning. Thanks for helping me to become a little sharper today.
I was taught that “Quid pro quo” was “something for something”, I do for you what I can, and you do for me what you can, and it establishes the “Value for the same”.
One of my favorites has always been: “Ex nihilo, nihilo est.” (From nothing, nothing comes) when talking to somebody who believes that the Universe must have made itself.