This is an unusual Weblog, and I have no idea where I got the idea from, or how it turned into this vocabulary lesson.

Maybe because the Ides of March just passed?

Anyway, the Latin equivalent for "Wednesday Weblog" is:

• "Mercurii" → The genitive form of Mercurius (Mercury), which is the Latin name for Wednesday (named after the god Mercury).
• "Ephemeris" → A term meaning "journal," "diary," or "weblog" (closely related to the Greek ephemeris, meaning "daily record").
• "Interretialis" → Derived from Interrete (the Internet), meaning "related to the Internet" or "online."

Recently, I realized that most of us could, to some extent, legitimately claim that we speak semi-fluent Latin—probably without even realizing it.

That may seem to be a dubious claim, or a challenge the status quo of what you believe, and I’m not going to go on ad nauseam about my theory, but my personal strategy of questioning the de facto belief that we don’t speak Latin is partially driven by my occasional inclination to carpe diem.

Now, of course, I don’t need an alibi for this modus operandi. However, my bona fides as an aspiring altar boy, per se, started me on this linguistic journey and have helped me understand—quid pro quo—that believing in the "second language" theory is not a vulgar (in the classical sense) approach but rather a challenge to the status quo of conventional beliefs. That, my friends, is a non sequitur. After reading this Weblog, you are welcome to do a post-mortem and share with me what you disagree with or what could have been done better.

The rest of the Weblog may expand your Latin skills and allow you to show off, or at least sound either elite or idiotic, depending.

At the minimum, you might be surprised at the number of Latin words you are familiar with and/or that you didn't know were from Latin. Fascinatio! Thanks to ChatGPT for assistance with some of the translations and graphics.

Lingua Latina: A Living Legacy

As a result of my fascinatio with Latin, I embarked on a little investigatio into how a language that originated thousands of years ago, in a region of Italy that includes Rome, is still used by millions of us—quasi quotidie (almost every day).



If you are dubius (skeptical) about that, I urge you to read on. Caveat lector (reader beware), however—I wouldn’t recommend listing Latin as a second language on your résumé, unless, of course, you're applying for a position as a pontifex maximus or a professor of lingua antiqua.

Exordium: A Brief History of Latin

The Latin language, fere duo millennia vetus (almost two millennia old), originated in the region of Latium (modern-day Lazio) sometime around the 8th century BCE. (Forsitan inde nomen suum accepit?—Perhaps that’s where it got its name?).

It was the native tongue of the Romans, and as their empire expanded imperium sine fine (an empire without end, as Virgil put it), so too did their language. Latin became the lingua franca of Europe, North Africa, and parts of the Middle East, dominating fields such as administration, literature, law, philosophy, and education.

However, Latin was not a monolithum (monolith). There was the refined Latina Classica (Classical Latin), used by Cicero, Virgil, and Seneca—full of rhetorical flourishes and stylistic elegance. But among the common people, Latina Vulgaris (Vulgar Latin) was the modus loquendi (way of speaking). This spoken form, which per se (in itself) was simpler and more fluid, gradually diverged into the Romance languages we know today—Spanish, French, Italian, Portuguese, and Romanian.

Incidentally, the term "vulgar" comes from the Latin vulgāris, meaning "common" or "of the people"—not crude or offensive, as we might assume today. Quod erat demonstrandum (which was to be demonstrated): even the word "vulgar" has evolved from its Latin origins!

Lingua Sacra: The Church and the Preservation of Latin

With the decline of the Roman Empire, many might assume Latin would have vanished into obscurity—requiescat in pace (rest in peace). But that was not to be. Latin found sanctuary within the Catholic Church, where it became the lingua sacra (sacred language) of theology, liturgy, and ecclesiastical administration.

From the early Christian era through the Middle Ages, Latin remained the primary language of the Church, science, and diplomacy. Exempli gratia, the works of Thomas Aquinas, Augustine, and countless other scholars were penned in Latin, ensuring its survival as the intellectual language of Europe.

Latin's presence in the Church persisted until the reforms of Concilium Vaticanum Secundum (Vatican II, 1962–1965), when local languages were permitted in the Mass. Before then, every Catholic Mass was celebrated in Latin—something I experienced firsthand.

Mea Experientia: An Altar Boy’s Latin Education

As someone who trained to be an altar boy in the pre-Vatican II era, I was exposed to Latin at a young age. I recited phrases such as "Kyrie Eleison" long before Mr. Mister’s song “Kyrie” topped the charts in 1985. (Nota bene: Little did I know at ten years old that this phrase, meaning “Lord, have mercy,” was actually Greek!).



My father and my wife both studied Latin in school, and though neither of them became scholars of lingua mortua (a dead language), they were at least in statu pupillari (in a state of learning). Even today, Latin persists in academic settings—especially in classical studies programs in Europe and beyond.

Lingua Vivens: Latin in Modern Life

Though we may not realize it, Latin is still very much a part of our daily vocabulary. Quod nomen tibi est? (What’s your name?) If your name is Patrick, Vincent, Julia, or Clara, congratulations—you have a Latin name! Ever been in a debate and someone used a non sequitur (it does not follow)? That’s Latin. Have you ever signed a document with your bona fide credentials? Latin again! If a lawyer invokes habeas corpus, or a doctor discusses a post mortem, they are borrowing directly from Latin’s vast linguistic treasury.

Even in everyday conversations, we casually drop phrases like per se, ad hoc, status quo, and carpe diem without a second thought. Latin is embedded in law, medicine, science, philosophy, and even pop culture—just listen to any Harry Potter spell, and you’ll hear Latin-inspired incantations! Exempli gratia, Expecto Patronum translates roughly to "I await a protector."



And let’s not forget taxonomy. Carl Linnaeus, the father of modern classification, ensured that every plant and animal species would have a Latin name, from Homo sapiens (that’s us) to Canis lupus familiaris (man's best friend).

Finis: The Legacy of Latin

Some may dismiss Latin as a lingua mortua, a relic of the past, but in truth, it remains in aeternum (forever) interwoven in our culture, our language, and our history. Whether through the Church, legal documents, scientific names, or common expressions, Latin endures—not just as a subject of study but as a living, breathing influence in our daily lives.



So while I wouldn’t necessarily recommend putting Latin as your second language on a résumé, don’t be surprised if you realize you’ve been speaking it all along. Verba volant, scripta manent—spoken words may fly away, but written words remain.

Post Scriptum

If you ever find yourself in Rome, just remember: Si fueris Rōmae, Rōmānō vīvitō mōre—when in Rome, do as the Romans do. And perhaps, whisper a little Latin while you're there.

My wife's High School Report Card: Better at Latin than English or Spanish