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The Latin word sum means what in English?

Question #105917. Asked by steelhammer.
Last updated Aug 24 2016.

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raidersruleall star
Answer has 11 votes
Currently Best Answer
raidersruleall star
15 year member
114 replies avatar

Answer has 11 votes.

Currently voted the best answer.
Sum means "to be" or "I am".
Used in a sentence: "Cogito, ergo sum" means "I think, therefore I am."

link http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/bl/bl_verbs_sum.htm
link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cogito_ergo_sum

May 28 2009, 8:22 PM
Watchkeeper
Answer has 11 votes
Watchkeeper
17 year member
412 replies

Answer has 11 votes.
"Sum" is the first person singular present indicative of the verb "esse" (to be) and translates as "I am".

The modern version of the quoted Descartes' sentence is "Tesco, ergo sum" - "I shop, therefore I am". Tesco is a UK supermarket chain.

"The Church isn't a business and as such business solutions aren't applicable. We are not competing directly with supermarkets and superstores, amusement arcades and parks; rather we are appealing for the hearts and minds of those who shop there to make sure that their shopping does not become their worship. Just as the Hebrew slaves from Egypt built the Golden Calf as the ultimate act of idolatry in the desert, so millions of British people are prostrating themselves before an altar of materialism. It's a big task in a country where Descartes' famous dictum 'Cogito Ergo Sum' (I think therefore I am) has been replaced with 'Tesco ergo sum' (I shop therefore I Am)."

link http://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/john-sentamu-you-ask-the-questions-428924.html

Response last updated by Terry on Aug 24 2016.
May 29 2009, 9:15 AM
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