This is not pig Latin

Did you know these common phrases are in Latin?

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English might be a Germanic language, but it is greatly influenced by Latin—not only in the huge number of words derived from Latin roots, but also in the many Latin phrases English speakers use on a daily basis. Here are some of the most commonly used ones!

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Literal translation: and all the rest/other things.

This is one of the most commonly used Latin phrases, but the abbreviation etc. is so widespread that people often fail to realize its Latin origins. We also write it as one word, etcetera, but the original phrase has two words: et (and) and cetera (the rest, other things that are similar).

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Literal translation: for the good.

The original phrase was pro bono publico ("for the public good"), dating back to ancient Rome, where wealthy and respected men provided legal advice for free—‘for the public good.’ The phrase was shortened, but its meaning remains unchanged.

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Literal translation: the state in which

Here we have another case of a longer phrase that was shortened. The original was in statu quo res erant ante bellum ("in the state in which things were before the war"), a phrase commonly used in treaties. Nowadays, its use has shifted to mean "the current state of things."

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Literal translation: word for word.

Verbatim ac litteratim means "word for word and letter for letter." This Latin expression comes from verbum (word) and can be used both as an adverb ("he said it verbatim") and as an adjective ("a verbatim report").

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Literal translation: with the positions turned.

The meaning and use have remained consistent over time: vice versa is used to express that something is true when the order is reversed.

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Literal translation: to the point of nausea/sickness.

Have you ever had to listen to a discussion so long that you felt nauseated by it? If so, you know exactly what ad nauseam means. The nausea is most often a figure of speech, but there have certainly been cases of real sickness.

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Literal translation: elsewhere.

Alibi was originally used as an adverb of place. Its current legal meaning—someone’s claim to have been "elsewhere" when a crime was committed—was first recorded in the 17th century. Nowadays, it’s a key term not only for lawyers and police officers but also for all true crime aficionados.

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Literal translation: generous mother.

What do generous mothers have to do with colleges and universities? We have to think figuratively. Alma means generous or kind, but combined with mater, it takes on the sense of a mother who nourishes her children. The first medieval university, the University of Bologna, adopted this idea as a motto: Alma Mater Studiorum, or "nourishing mother of studies."

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Literal translation: prize, reward, profit.

In Latin, praemium was always used to refer to something gained. The added meaning of premium as "top quality" is of much later origin, as is the meaning of premium as "an extra fee or payment."

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Literal translation: in good faith.

We mostly associate this phrase with its legal meaning—that is, the absence of deceit or fraud. While its original use was similar, it was not necessarily limited to legal contexts and could be applied to a multitude of situations. Bona fide is generally used as an adjective, but it also has a noun form: bona fides.

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Literal translation: agreement.

This word comes from the Latin consentire, meaning "to be in agreement" or "to join in feeling." From the verb, the word shifted into the noun consensus (agreement), which became the standard term for a unanimous or general agreement.

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Literal translation: to one’s pleasure.

This is a shortened version of the original Latin phrase ad libitum, which originally meant "to one’s pleasure" or "as much as one likes." The shortened version comes from music, where ad lib indicated that the musician could interpret the piece according to their taste. From there, ad lib evolved to its current meaning: to improvise or deliver spontaneously.

Language lessons

Don’t get it wrong: 10 commonly misused English words

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Language is alive and constantly evolving, yet in our daily lives, we barely scratch the surface of the vast vocabulary, terms, and expressions that comprise it. Many words have faded from use, while others are appropriate only in specific contexts. With this level of complexity, it’s no wonder people frequently confuse words, their meanings, and their proper usage. There’s no shame in that! We’re always learning—and relearning—how to use our language, regardless of age. Here, we’ve gathered 10 English words that are commonly misused in everyday conversation. You may just discover that you’ve been misusing some of them!

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Misuse: Used for emphasis

Correct Use: In a literal sense

In recent years, literally has become a popular way to emphasize statements, but its actual meaning refers to something that is exactly true, without exaggeration. For instance, saying "I literally died laughing" is incorrect—unless you actually passed away from laughter. That, admittedly, would make for an amusing epitaph, though it would be impossible to write in the first person.

The term originated in the late 14th century, derived from the Latin literalis, meaning "of or pertaining to letters." Since the written word was often regarded as a factual and incorruptible source of information, the word came to carry the meaning of something that happened in an exact, factual manner as it was adopted into common usage.

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Misuse: Coincidental or unexpected

Correct Use: A situation that is contrary to what one expects

Often misused to describe anything unusual or coincidental, ironic specifically refers to a situation in which the outcome is opposite to what was anticipated. For instance, it’s considered ironic if a desert floods or if a fire station burns down.

The term stems from the Greek word eironeia, meaning dissimulation or feigned ignorance. If you're still unsure when to use it, reserve the word ironic for instances where there’s a striking contradiction between expectations and reality.

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Misuse: Rare or unusual

Correct Use: One of a kind

Unique signifies something that is singular and unlike anything else. Saying something is "very unique" diminishes its meaning, as uniqueness cannot be qualified—something is either unique or it isn’t.

Originating from the Latin unicus, meaning "single," the term emphasizes exclusivity and should be used in that sense. However, the erroneous usage to mean "uncommon" dates back to the mid-19th century. So if you’ve been misusing this word, don’t feel bad—you’re certainly not alone!

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Misuse: To destroy entirely

Correct Use: To reduce by a tenth

In Roman times, decimate referred to a form of military punishment in which one out of every ten soldiers was executed. The word traces back to the Latin decimare, meaning "to take a tenth." Over time, it has come to imply large-scale destruction, but its original definition suggests only a partial reduction.

While using decimate as a synonym for annihilate is technically imprecise, many linguists argue that its historical meaning was tied to a specific, outdated practice. In fact, by the 17th century, the word had already begun to take on broader connotations. So don’t worry too much about it—unless the Romans come back for vengeance.

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Misuse: Uninterested or bored

Correct Use: Impartial or unbiased

Many people confuse disinterested with uninterested, but they have distinct meanings. Disinterested refers to a lack of bias or a neutral stance, while uninterested indicates a lack of interest or enthusiasm altogether.

However, language is rarely straightforward. Before the 17th century, these two words actually had opposite meanings: disinterested meant "unconcerned," while uninterested was sometimes used to mean "impartial." By the late 18th century, the modern definitions had largely stabilized—but who knows, maybe in a few centuries they’ll switch again. In the meantime, stick to the current usage to avoid confusion.

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Misuse: Amused or entertained

Correct Use: Confused or bewildered

Bemused is often misused as a synonym for amused, sometimes even paired with the adverb wryly to emphasize that interpretation. However, bemused actually means to be perplexed, confused, or lost in thought. By its most widely accepted definition, someone who is bemused isn’t entertained—they’re puzzled by a situation.

But again, nothing is easy in the world of words, and as it turns out, even linguists have been bemused by the term’s origins. The sense of being confused was associated with the word after poet Alexander Pope wrote in 1735 that someone was "bemused in beer." However, recent scholarship suggests he may have been alluding instead to the poetic influence of the Muses, who do seem to meddle in human affairs now and then, inspiring not only works of art but also evolving dictionary entries!

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Misuse: To skim or glance over

Correct Use: To read thoroughly

In informal speech, many people use peruse to mean casually skimming or glancing through text, but its original meaning is quite the opposite. The primary definition of the word is to read something carefully and thoroughly. For example, if you "perused a report" in this sense, it means you examined it in detail.

That said, most dictionaries today accept the informal sense of leisurely inspecting something—a usage that has existed since at least the 19th century. So, using peruse this way isn’t technically incorrect; its appropriateness depends on context. In formal writing or speech, it’s best to stick to the original "thorough" meaning. Either way, peruse can function as a flexible synonym for reading, whether meticulously or more casually.

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Misuse: Raises a question

Correct Use: Circular reasoning

This phrase is often misused to mean "raises the question," but it actually refers to a logical fallacy in which an argument’s premise assumes the truth of its conclusion. For example, saying "He’s a great friend because he’s a good friend" begs the question.

The phrase originates from a somewhat loose 16th-century translation of petitio principii, an Aristotelian term that would be more accurately rendered as "assuming the conclusion." It’s no wonder the misuse is common—the phrase doesn’t make much sense on its own and seems better suited to the idea of "a question that begs to be answered."

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Misuse: Regardless

Correct Use: None, maybe?

Irregardless is a nonstandard word likely formed by blending irrespective and regardless. In most contexts, it’s considered incorrect, or at least highly informal. Linguistically, it’s a confusing construction: the prefix ir- means "not," and the suffix -less means "without," making it a kind of double negative.

Despite its awkward structure, people commonly use irregardless as a synonym for regardless. And to be fair, the word isn’t new—it has stirred controversy since the early 20th century and appeared in print as early as 1795. In any case, unless you’re making a point about how language loves to defy rules and speaker expectations, it’s best to just avoid it.

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Misuse: Nauseated

Correct Use: Causing nausea

Nauseous is often used to describe feeling sick, but it technically refers to something that induces nausea. Ironically, if you say, "I feel nauseous," you’re actually implying that you’re causing someone else to feel sick. The word comes from the Greek nausíā, meaning seasickness, which is derived from naûs, meaning ship.

Nauseous can also mean nauseating, which refers to something that causes nausea. In its primary usage, the word describes things that make people feel sick, like reading a dictionary now and then. But meanness aside, languages evolve, and new meanings are constantly forged in everyday speech. So, no word is entirely incorrect if it can be understood—context is everything!