Let’s Learn Latin
You can’t turn on the tv or read the newspapers without hearing one piece of bad news after another. If it’s not a bank failing, it’s someone dying in Africa. Well, I have resolved to spend less time reading doom and gloom, and more time on self-improvement. Ballroom dancing is out because Redeye is always unavailable. Moose already gave me a tour of the C-17. So, why not revive an old language? I think we can have fun along the way, too.
Since I am a lawyer, all my latin are ones commonly used in court. Here goes!
Ab initio – from the beginning.
De minimis – of minimal things, not worthy of the law’s attention.
Nolo contendere – means I will not contend it, and essentially a plea of “no contest.”
Pro se – for himself, refers to someone representing himself in court.
Subpoena – you have been summoned to court.
Subpoena duces tecum – you have been summoned to court and bring your stuff with you.
Ad infinitum – goes on forever into, well, infinity.
Ignorantia juris non excusat – ignorance of the law excuses no one, therefore you cannot say that you didn’t realize it was against the law to run over old ladies crossing the zebra lines.
Per stirpes – means by branch, and used to identify branches of beneficiaries in estate planning. It rhymes with “herpes.”