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Latin in the Modern World Trivia Quiz

I am going to look at ten Latin words or phrases which have survived into modern English. Be careful sometimes the literal translation from Latin doesn't match the modern day meaning associated with the word or phrase.

A multiple-choice quiz by BxBarracuda. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
BxBarracuda

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
347,085

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Easy

Avg Score
9 / 10

Plays
5194

Awards
Top 10% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 31 (9/10), RacingBee (10/10), JAM6430 (10/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. When the company sent their employees out of town on business, they gave them a "per diem" for lodging and food, anything else came out of the employee's own funds. What meaning does the Latin phrase "per diem" have in modern English? Hint

Per hour

Per week

Per day

Per year

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Question 2 of 10

2. If two players don't make any mistakes when playing each other at Tic-Tac-Toe, they can play games "ad infinitum" without anyone ever winning a game. What is the meaning of the Latin phrase "ad infinitum" in modern English? Hint

For a month

For an hour

To infinity

For a day

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Question 3 of 10

3. In ancient Rome the phrase "alma mater" referred to a mother goddess, which fits with the literal translation to English of "nourishing mother", but if someone talks about their "alma mater" in modern times they could be referring to which of the following? Hint

A bookstore

A park

An arboretum

A university

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Question 4 of 10

4. After completing his mission to the space station, the astronaut said he was glad to be on "terra firma". What does the Latin phrase "terra firma" translate to in modern English? Hint

Firm ground

In the air

At sea

Orbiting the moon

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Question 5 of 10

5. In the southern United States the time period from 1781-1860 is known by the Latin phrase "antebellum". What does "antebellum" translate to in modern English? Hint

Between the wars

Before the war

After the war

During the war

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Question 6 of 10

6. The Latin phrase "e pluribus unum" can be found on a lot of United States of America currency, but what does this Latin phrase translate to in modern English? Hint

In God we trust

The union of the snake

Don't tread on me

Out of many, one

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. You may not know the Latin phrase "exempli gratia" when it's fully spelled out, but most of us are familiar with the shortened form of the phrase which is e.g.. What does the Latin phrase "exempli gratia" translate to in modern English? Hint

Many thanks

Fifteen percent gratuity included

For the sake of example

Role model

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Question 8 of 10

8. "Ad hominem" is a Latin phrase which describes an argumentative technique. What would someone who was practicing "ad hominem" debating be focusing their argument on? Hint

Attacking an opponent's good deeds

Answering the question asked them

Highlighting their own good deeds

Attacking an opponent's character

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Question 9 of 10

9. While the parents were both at work the teachers at the school had an "in loco parentis" relationship with that child. What is the modern English translation of the Latin phrase "in loco parentis"? Hint

The crazy parents

Cousins twice removed

Great grandparents

In place of a parent

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Question 10 of 10

10. When the patient who was allergic to penicillin, and it stated so on their chart, was given a shot of penicillin by the doctor, "res ipsa loquitur" applied in regard to the doctor's responsibility for any complications arising from the shot. What does the Latin phrase "res ipsa loquitur" translate to in modern English? Hint

It's a mistake

Who can it be now

The matter speaks for itself

Business as usual

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

Answer: Per day

"Per diems" cover business expenses employees run into while travelling on business for their employer. "Per diems" replace the need for the paperwork involved with expense reports following business travel.

Answer: To infinity

An example of something that goes on "ad infinitum" is the set of whole numbers.

Answer: A university

Female figures which include goddesses and also the Virgin Mary have been called "alma mater" in the past. In the modern day it refers to higher education schools, such as colleges and universities, which a person has attended and most likely graduated from. "Alma mater" has further meaning at some schools in Europe and North Ameria, with mottos, statues and student groups incorporating the name or depicting likenesses.

4. After completing his mission to the space station, the astronaut said he was glad to be on "terra firma". What does the Latin phrase "terra firma" translate to in modern English?

Answer: Firm ground

"Terra firma" translates to solid "ground" or "earth". The phrase "terra firma" has also been used by rock bands, businesses and movies.

5. In the southern United States the time period from 1781-1860 is known by the Latin phrase "antebellum". What does "antebellum" translate to in modern English?

Answer: Before the war

Though "antebellum" translates to "before the war" the period in southern American history that is known as the "antebellum" era actually falls between two wars, the American Revolutionary War and the American Civil War. There were fierce battles drawn on the lines of slavery and states rights during this period of American history.

6. The Latin phrase "e pluribus unum" can be found on a lot of United States of America currency, but what does this Latin phrase translate to in modern English?

Answer: Out of many, one

"E Pluribus Unum" was considered by some an unofficial motto for the U.S. until an Act passed by Congress made "In God we trust" the nation's motto in 1956. In 1786 coins printed in the state of New Jersey contained the phrase and for the first time in 1795 "E pluribus unum" was printed on a national coin.

Answer: For the sake of example

"Exempli gratia", which is almost always abbreviated to e.g., means "for example". The abbreviation e.g. is similar to another abbreviation, i.e., which translates to "that is" and in long form is "id est".

8. "Ad hominem" is a Latin phrase which describes an argumentative technique. What would someone who was practicing "ad hominem" debating be focusing their argument on?

Answer: Attacking an opponent's character

"Ad hominem" translates to "to the man". "Ad hominem" arguing techniques are usually used to distract from the truth and have often been more compelling than the truth and therefore won out over the truth at times.

Answer: In place of a parent

A person or persons who are given "in loco parentis" rights assume a parent/child relationship and the responsibilities that go with it in regards to children in their care. In the late 19th century the idea of teachers being "in loco parentis" was phased out of English common law, and later in the United States.

As times have changed the legal doctrine has been used more often once again.

Answer: The matter speaks for itself

"Res ipsa loquitur" translates to "the matter speaks for itself". The phrase is first known to have been used by Cicero during his "Pro Milone" speech and was first introduced in the legal world in 1863 by Baron Pollock.

Source: Author BxBarracuda

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor LadyCaitriona before going online.
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