Common Latin Phrases Used in Everyday English

Have you ever looked at a dollar bill and wondered what the phrase “E pluribus unum” means? Or if you know what this phrase means, did you know that this is Latin? E pluribus unum translates to “one from many.” Conceptually, this has become a de facto (another Latin phrase) motto for the United States, which emerged as one nation from thirteen colonies.

Latin is considered a dead language because no community uses it as a native language. However, Latin is a historical language now referred to as a classical language. It is still used today in the Church and in literature. Latin words are also commonly used in the courtroom. Romance languages derive directly from Latin. English is a Germanic language. However, many English words come from Latin roots. There are also many Latin terms used directly in English today.

Here are some common Latin phrases used in everyday English:

• ad hoc – formed for a particular purpose
• ad lib – improvised
• alter ego – other self
• bona fide – real, genuine
• carpe diem – seize the day
• caveat – a stipulation or condition
• consensus – agreement
• de facto – in reality
• de jure – by law
• ergo – therefore
• et cetera (etc) – and so on
• excelsior – ever upward
• major – great
• mea culpa – through my own fault
• per capita – per person
• per diem – per day
• per se – specifically, by itself
• status quo – the state in which, existing state of affairs
• verbatim – in exactly the same words
• vice versa – the other way around  

How many of these common Latin phrases do you use in your everyday speech?