Foreign Phrases and Quotes


I've a few foreign phrases and quotes that I like to adorn my writing and speech with. The links are to references with the reference abbreviation and page number after the phase/quote.

 A  B C D E F G H I
J K L M N O P Q R
S T U V W X Y Z  

A

  1. ad hoc (Ba-15): (a) For this special purpose. (b) Arranged for this purpose. (c) With respect to this respect to this subject or thing. (d) In science an adjective describing an assumption invented for a very specific purpose. Such assumptions are generally deprecated since they are often wrong. They are often just fix-ups to avoid coming to grips with fundamental problems with a theory. (Latin)

(return to top)

B

(return to top)

C

  1. ceteris paribus (Ba-198): The others (other things) being equal. Abbr.: cet. par. (Latin)

(return to top)

D

(return to top)

E

  1. ex nihilo (Ba-423): Creation from nothing.

  2. ex nihilo nihil fit (Ba-423): Nothing is created from nothing: i.e., all that exists has always existed.

(return to top)

F

(return to top)

G

(return to top)

H

(return to top)

I

  1. in aeternum: forever. (Latin)
  2. inter arma silent leges: during wartime, laws are silent. (Latin)

(return to top)

J

(return to top)

K

(return to top)

L

(return to top)

M

  1. mutatis mutandis (Ba-803): With the necessary changes in comparing cases; changing that which needs to be changed. One can even use this as verb: I've mutatis mutandised that. (Latin)

(return to top)

N

(return to top)

O

(return to top)

P

(return to top)

Q

  1. quis custodiet ipsos custodies: Who is watching the watchers? (Latin)

(return to top)

R

(return to top)

S

  1. sine die: Without a date; indefinitely adjourned. (Latin)

(return to top)

T

(return to top)

U

(return to top)

V

(return to top)

W

(return to top)

X

(return to top)

Y

(return to top)

Z

(return to top)