So, in the spirit of Latin for Everyone here it is, the extracts from my rather useful book of Latin phrases (oh, it�s called Nil Desperandum by Eugene Ehrlich) explaining (or maybe not) what the titles mean. And perhaps they�ll make sense to someone.
And so, in no particular order, here is that list of Pretentious Latin Titles in full:
Experto Cridite
Trust one who has gone through it
It's a quote from Virgil. That's all I know
<in this Fragile Balance based fic... ah, it's only short you'll have to read it. Any eplanations will only give it away. Click here to read it>
Habeas Corpus
You may have the body
A 'habeas corpus' is a legal writ, a feature of British and United States law protecting the individual against arbitrary imprisonment. It gives the accused the full protection of the law.
<In this fic, the ltieral meaning "you may have the body" describes the way the two characters behave towards each other. It also points to what hapens to the team after the ep has finished - something the Stargate PTB explained in the S5 ep Sentinel. Click here to find out what I made of the rogue team>
Vulneratus non Victus
bloodied but unbowed
Literally 'wounded but not conquered' .
<which is how I felt Jack was after Baal had finished with him in the Season 6 ep Abyss. Click here to read it.>
Carpe Diem
enjoy, enjoy
This famous advice, literally, 'Sieze the day', is from Horace's Odes. The full thought is Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero, which may be translated as 'Enjoy today, trusting little in tomorrow'. Thus, carpe diem from ancient times until the present has been advice often and variously expressed: enjoy yourself while you have the chance; eat, drink, and be merry, for tomorrow we die; make hay while the sun shines; enjoy yourself, it's later than you think. In another century carpe diem was also an exhortation to maidens to give up their virginity and enjoy all the pleasures of life. Robert Herrick (1591-1674):
Gather ye rosebuds while ye may
Old Time is still a-flying,
And this same flower that smiles today
Tomorrow will be dying.
So a tad depressing then!!
<I just made the connection between Sam going on a date and poets teling virgins to give it up!! hmmmm. Anyway, you can read the fic, if you click here.>
Sub rosa
In strict confidence or secretly
In this age of covert operations <see! Covert operations, suitable for the SGC right there> sub rosa is understood all to well and said all too often in English. <although I�ve never heard it used> The phrase is of interest primarily because it has the literal meaning �under the rose�. The rose is a symbol of secrecy <secret again!>, perhaps deriving from a story involving Cupid, the Roman god of love <it�s a shipfic�>, who is said to have given a rose to Harpocrates, the god of silence, as a bribe for not revealing the amorous activities of Venus, the goddess of sensual love <it�s not that kind of story>, well known for practicing what she preached. Roman dining-room ceilings were decorated with roses to remind guests not to make public things that might be said sub vino (�under the influence of wine�). <If you want to read it, click here.>
Ave atque vale
Hail and fairwell
Ave, �hail�, was the Roman equivalent of �hello�, and vale the equivalent of �goodbye�, as well as the Roman farewell to the dead. Catullus used this expression in closing a poem on the death of his borther: �Atque in perpetuum, frater, ave atque vale.� �And forever, brother, hail and farewell!� <You�ll have to read the fic to work out why I picked this one. Click here for enlightenment.>
A vinculo matrimonii
An absolute divorce
A divorce a vinculo matrimonii, literally �from the bond of marriage�, and also called a divorce a vinculo, is one that releases husband and wife from all legal commitments of marriage. It is interesting to note that vinculum, �bond� also means �noose� and �chain�. <Hmmmm. This fic is about Jack and his ex-wife. Very thoroughly divorced. To read it click here.>
Non omnis moriar
I shall not wholly die
This was Horace�s way, in the Odes, of telling the world that his works would live forever. Not a bad call. <Meridian, Daniel� how could I resist? I couldn�t of course, as you can see if you click here>
Redivivus
Brought back to life
This word gives us an opportunity to call 'a second Beethoven' a Beethoven redivivus - and probably be wrong in both languages! <Well, not technically what happened, but I can't resist the lure of the Pretentious Latin Title. Click here to find out why.>
Qui timide rogat docet negare
don't be afraid to ask
According to my Book of Handy Latin Phrases (aka: handy pretentious fic titles) this means literally 'he who asks timidly teaches to refuse'. A better translation would be, 'He who asks timidly invites refusal.' So now we know. <this springs from the opening scene of Metamorposis. I couldn't resist. Of course, you may find it totally resistable, click here to see.>
Inter Nos
between or among ourselves
This is the Latin equivalent of entre nous. Something that should remain confidential. <In this fic Jack has a question for Daniel that he probably doesn't want anyone else to hear. And if that piqud your interest, click here to read it. Don't worry, it's not slash.>
