500 Foreign Words and Phrases You Should Know to Sound Smart (2 page)

Abyssus abyssum invocat
(Latin) (a-BISS-us a-BISS-oom in-WO-kat) (phrase)

Deep calls to deep. From Psalm 42. The usual interpretation is that the singer is calling out to God, from whom he feels distant. Another possible interpretation is that someone or something profound finds an echo in something else meaningful.

You’ve moved me very deeply, and I feel I’ve found a kindred spirit in you. ABYSSUS ABYSSUM INVOCAT
.

a capella
(Latin) (ah kap-PEH-lah) (adj.)

In the manner of the church or in the manner of the chapel. This is applied to singing without accompaniment. Among those in recent musical traditions who have attempted a capella singing are Bobby McFerrin and the Manhattan Transfer.

Sweet Honey in the Rock is a well-known A CAPELLA group with an ability to mix a complex variety of harmonies
.

ad absurdum
(Latin) (ad ab-SIR-dum) (adv.)

Literally, “reduction to absurdity.” In argument, this is a way of disproving a proposition by following it out to its logical, and absurd, conclusion.

If we follow your argument that lowering tax rates always raises income, then logically, AD ABSURDUM, lowering the rate to 0 percent would result in infinite revenues
.

ad arbitrium
(Latin) (ad ar-BIT-ree-um) (adv.)

Arbitrarily. At will. Usually used in legal circles, but you can impress friends by tossing this into random conversations.

I find it silly that fashions change AD ARBITRIUM; when Seventh Avenue says “Change,” we all change, rather than telling Versace to go to Hell
.

Ad astra per alia porci
(Latin) (ad AS-tra AH-lee-ah POR-kee) (phrase)

Although the phrase
ad astra
, meaning “to the stars,” originated from the Latin poet Virgil (70
B.C.
–19
B.C.
), the American writer John Steinbeck (1902–1968) adopted as his symbol a winged pig (called Pigasus) and the motto
Ad astra per alia porci
(To the stars on the wings of a pig). Interestingly, in 1968 during the demonstrations accompanying the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, the Yippies (Youth International Party) led by Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin, nominated a pig named Pigasus for president.

ad astra per aspera
(Latin) (ad AS-truh per ASS-per-uh) (phrase)To the stars, through hope. This has been adopted as the motto of many institutions, including the Milwaukee High School of the Arts, the Trenton Air Cadet Summer Training Centre in Canada, and Starfleet Academy.

addendum
(Latin) (ah-DEN-doom) (noun)

An addition to a document after its printing. The Latin literally means, “something that must be added.”

My latest book, which ran to 750 pages, now includes an essential ADDENDUM that further proves my whole argument
.

ad fontes
(Latin) (ad FON-tez) (adv.)

To the sources. It was particularly applied to the efforts of Renaissance scholars to return to the original Greek and Latin source materials in their studies. The great humanist scholar Erasmus (1466–1536) employed it as much as possible. In general, this is the method favored by most modern historians.

In my study of the development of modern political parties, I shall be using, AD FONTES, material from the national archives of the Democratic and Republican parties
.

ad hoc
(Latin) (ad HOC) (adv.)

For this. Generally a makeshift solution to a problem, something that is unlikely to have general applicability.

Given the odd nature of our current situation, we’ll have to create an AD HOC committee to propose solutions to the problem
.

ad hominem
(Latin) (ad HOM-ih-nem) (adv.)

Literally, “to the man.” In logical theory, it refers to a kind of argument that tries to attack another proposition by impugning the character of the person putting it forward. This is a logical fallacy.

Saying that the senator is a sexual pervert—although you may be accurate—is tantamount to launching an AD HOMINEM argument on him, since you can’t refute his charges of political corruption
.

ad infinitum
(Latin) (ad en-feh-NEE-toom) (adv.)

Literally, “to infinity.” More usually, it means “from this point onward without ending.” In other words, it refers to any event or sequence with no known ending.

The senator’s speech was evidently intended to continue AD INFINITUM until his audience was converted to his point of view or died of boredom
.

adiós
(Spanish) (ah-dee-OHSS) (interjection)

“We’ll see you tomorrow.” The standard Spanish farewell.

Let’s get out of this place. ADIÓS, muchachos!

ad libitum
(Latin) (ad LEE-bih-toom) (adv.)

Literally, “at one’s pleasure.” It’s often shortened to ad lib, which is the form in which most people hear it. Ad lib, in ordinary usage, has come to mean something that is done or said spontaneously, without rehearsal.

Many of the Marx Brothers’ live performances were given AD LIBITUM; hence the legend that no two performances of
Animal Crackers
were ever the same
.

ad litem
(Latin) (ad LEE-tem) (adj.)

Acting in court on behalf of someone else who for some reason is unable to represent him- or herself. For example, an underage child on whose behalf a lawsuit is brought would be represented by another party—possibly a parent or guardian—who would be said to be acting ad litem.

Mr. Smith is representing Mrs. Smith, the plaintiff in the lawsuit, AD LITEM, since Mrs. Smith is in a coma and unable to speak for herself
.

ad nauseam
(Latin) (ad NAW-zee-um) (adv.)

To the point of causing nausea. Although it is usually used concerning arguments that continue to a point that they’re likely to make everyone involved throw up, it can also be more generally applied.

I find this children’s Christmas pageant has continued AD NAUSEAM, to the point where most of the audience is in a coma
.

ad oculos
(Latin) (ad OK-oo-lohss) (adv.)

By means of the eyes. Verified visually.

I might not have believed the existence of UFOs, had I not confirmed it AD OCULOS
.

ad vitam aeternam
(Latin) (ad WE-tahm eye-TER-nahm) (adj.)

Literally, “to eternal life.” More generally, for all time, forever. It’s also the name of a heavy metal band, if anyone’s interested.

This party is stretching on AD VITAM AETERNAM. Why don’t we go somewhere quiet and get a drink?

ad vitam aut culpam
(Latin) (ad VEE-tahm out KUHL-pahm) (phrase)

“For life or until fault.” This is a principle in Scottish law that guarantees an official (generally a judge) to hold office until such time as he commits an impeachable offense. In 1746, the Heritable Jurisdictions Act of the Scottish Parliament guaranteed a judge would hold his office in this manner once he had been in office for seven years. In general conversation, it can refer to a more general principle that an official should be in office unless there is a legal reason to remove him or her.

The justices of the United States Supreme Court are appointed AD VITAM AUT CULPAM; an impeachment has occurred only once in the history of the institution
.

aetatis suae
(Latin) (eye-TAH-tiss SOO-eye) (adj.)

Of his or her time. This expression often appears on old gravestones, where it takes the meaning of “in the year of his age,” referring to the age at which the deceased died.

Sheila Jones passed from this life AETATIS SUAE 39
.

affaire de coeur
(French) (a-FAIR deh KOOR) (noun)

Literally, an “affair of the heart.” A love affair, usually one that is extramarital or in some other way tastes of scandal. The French enjoy this sort of thing, particularly when it happens to politicians. In America, we’re scandalized when our politicians have mistresses; in Paris, people are scandalized when the premier doesn’t.

The former congressman was forced to resign his office when it came to light that he had, while in Washington, engaged in an AFFAIRE DE COEUR involving a dominatrix, two cross-dressers, and a standard poodle
.

affaire d’honneur
(French) (a-FAIR don-ur) (noun)

Literally, an “affair of honor.” In practice, this refers to a duel, fought to settle an argument over honor. The French, being French, have a nice sense of propriety about such things, and there are elaborate rules governing the conduct of the seconds, the choice of weapons, and so on. In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when such things were common, there were those who became experts on these ceremonies without, of course, ever directly being involved themselves.

The AFFAIRE D’HONNEUR between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr, fought in Weehawken, New Jersey, in 1804, ended in the death of Hamilton, former U.S. Secretary of the Treasury
.

a fortiori
(Latin) (ah for-tee-AWR-ree) (adv.)

A rhetorical term meaning “argument from the stronger reason.”
Generally, it refers to an argument that is strongly supported by verifiable facts. The general implication is that the opposing argument is inherently weaker.

That nuclear war is bad is shown A FORTIORI by the fact that in the event of one occurring, most of the world’s population would be dead
.

agent provocateur
(French) (ah-ZHAUNT pro-vah-kah-TUR) (noun)

One who, acting secretly on behalf of other forces, infiltrates an organization and creates an incident that will allow his employers to attack those he has infiltrated. Such incidents are often violent, creating the impression that the organization in question is violent.

The Haymarket bombing incident in Chicago in 1886 in which eight police officers were killed was almost certainly the work of an AGENT PROVOCATEUR, seeking to give police an excuse to crush the nascent union movement
.

agnus dei
(Latin) (AG-nuss DAY-ee) (noun)

The lamb of God. This expression first appears in the Gospel According to John, when John the Baptist cries, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). The lamb is a widely used symbol in Christianity and finds expression in popular culture as one of the most widely eaten dishes at Easter. Although since Jesus was the Lamb of God, one might think it a bit strange to eat a lamb at the celebration of his resurrection.

Nota Bene

There has been considerable theological argument over the years about the sacrificial character of Jesus’s crucifixion, and early Christians sometimes associated the Lamb of God with the ancient custom of a “scapegoat,” a goat that would be sacrificed to atone for others’ sins. St. Anselm of Canterbury, however, argued that Jesus’s sacrifice was conscious and willing, and therefore he was not a scapegoat but a unique atonement for the sins of Mankind.

à la carte
(French) (ah lah KART) (adj.)

Literally, “according to the menu,” this refers to items that are sold separately. Other dishes are sold as packages, with side dishes included. Other menus offer complete meals at a fixed price (prix fixe).

Rather than the veal with scalloped potatoes, I’d like the veal À LA CARTE, please
.

al dente
(Italian) (ahl DEN-tay) (adj.)

Literally “to the tooth.” A cooking term that specifies pasta (or, sometimes, rice or beans) should be cooked until it is no longer hard but still firm when bitten.

I prefer my pasta AL DENTE, not mushy the way it is in most American restaurants
.

alea iacta est
(Latin) (AL-ee-ah YAK-tah est) (phrase)

The die has been cast. This, according to the Roman historian Suetonius, (69–c. 130) was said by Julius Caesar (100
B.C.
– 44
B.C.
) when he crossed the Rubicon River in Northern Italy in 49
B.C.
on his way to challenge Pompey (106
B.C.
–48
B.C.
) for control of Rome. From this incident, we also get the phrase “crossing the Rubicon,” meaning to take an action from which there is no turning back.

Nota Bene

Julius Caesar (100
B.C.
–44
B.C.
) was among the most successful military commanders ever produced by Rome. Among other things, he pacified the Roman province of Gaul and invaded Britain, though his army withdrew without completely conquering the island. Caesar’s return to Rome in 49 b.c. was the culmination of a period of civil war between various factions seeking to control the decaying Roman republic. Many feared that a triumphant Caesar would end the republic and return Rome to the monarchy, and for that reason a group of senators stabbed him to death on the floor of the senate in 44
B.C.
Ironically, the long-term result of this murder was the rise of Caesar’s nephew Octavian, who became Augustus, the first Roman emperor.

alfresco
(Italian) (ahl-FRESS-ko) (adj.)

To eat outside, from the Italian for at fresh temperature. Alfresco dining was made popular in the cafés and trattorias of Europe. Today, many restaurants offer patrons the option of dining outside during the summer months.

It’s such a lovely day; let’s dine ALFRESCO
.

Allah il Allah
(Arabic) (AH-lah ill AH-lah) (phrase)