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It's All 'Latin' to Me Trivia Quiz

How familiar are you with some of the Latin phrases that are used in English? Test your Latin expertise with this quiz. Choices in quotes are actual Latin translations (or my own fractured inventions designed to fool you).

A multiple-choice quiz by jellow_10. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
jellow_10

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
4,306

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
20

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
14 / 20

Plays
4518

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: chang50 (14/20), LNelson521 (17/20), haydenspapa (16/20).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 20

1. Alma mater Hint

'nothing matters'

'nurturing mother'

'always maternal'

'home away from home'

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Question 2 of 20

2. Mea culpa Hint

making excuses

taking the blame

offering an explanation

choosing sides

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Question 3 of 20

3. In vitro Hint

'in life'

'in the imagination'

'in science'

'in glass'

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Question 4 of 20

4. E pluribus unum Hint

'in God we trust'

'by the people'

'united we stand'

'out of many, one'

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Question 5 of 20

5. Ibid(em) Hint

'in the same place'

'idiotic'

'egotistical'

'at the bottom'

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Question 6 of 20

6. Pro forma Hint

lacking originality

supporting group consensus

in favor of form over content

satisfying only the minimum requirements

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Question 7 of 20

7. Ante-bellum Hint

'before the war'

'against excessive ornamentation

'against war'

'in favor of beauty'

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Question 8 of 20

8. In loco parentis Hint

to assume the duties and responsibilities of a parent

to assume power of attorney for someone

the act of committing one's parents to an institution

legal term for an insanity plea

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Question 9 of 20

9. Nolo contendere Hint

neither admitting guilt or claiming innocence

legal term to describe an ugly divorce

don't be disagreeable or argumentative

dissatisfied with services rendered

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Question 10 of 20

10. Sine qua non Hint

a code word

clearheadedness

the essential ingredient

lack of understanding

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Question 11 of 20

11. Sic Hint

attack command for dogs

something is confusing

such as

an apparent error is quoted and is not an editorial mistake

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Question 12 of 20

12. Ex post facto Hint

an explanation printed in public

a journalistic expose'

facts admitted into evidence after a verdict has been rendered

an explanation concocted after an event, sometimes misleading

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Question 13 of 20

13. Ad hoc Hint

having a military function

permanent

created for a particular occasion

in the private sector

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Question 14 of 20

14. Non sequitur Hint

for public knowledge

a thought that does not logically follow

separation of church and state

showing lack of equality between the sexes

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Question 15 of 20

15. Non compos mentis Hint

suffering from writer's block

out of one's mind so not legally responsible

revealing one's innermost thoughts

someone who is skeptical of parapsychology

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Question 16 of 20

16. Quid pro quo Hint

in support of capitalism

in favor of the usual order of things

taxation is the backbone of government

a fair exchange

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Question 17 of 20

17. Per capita Hint

'by capitals'

'by leaders'

'by heads'

'by states'

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Question 18 of 20

18. Caveat emptor Hint

giving in to greed

show respect to leaders

be alert to the possibility of being cheated

lacking intelligence

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Question 19 of 20

19. Carpe diem Hint

any religious holiday

a person who hates Mondays

take advantage of opportunities

denying the existence of gods

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Question 20 of 20

20. Habeas corpus Hint

a suspect must be read his Miranda rights before being arrested

a person cannot be held without bail

an accused person must be presented physically in court and given sufficient cause for arrest

a friend or relative can insist on seeing a person who has been arrested

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Most Recent Scores

Nov 27 2025 : chang50: 14/20
Nov 27 2025 : LNelson521: 17/20
Nov 27 2025 : haydenspapa: 16/20
Nov 27 2025 : fado72: 20/20
Nov 27 2025 : JonJonson: 15/20
Nov 27 2025 : Lottie1001: 18/20
Nov 27 2025 : mulder100: 17/20
Nov 27 2025 : Waves306: 12/20
Nov 27 2025 : Kirok: 19/20

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Alma mater

Answer: 'nurturing mother'

Of course, your alma mater is the school or university from which you've graduated.

2. Mea culpa

Answer: taking the blame

In Latin, mea culpa means 'my fault' or 'my blame.'

3. In vitro

Answer: 'in glass'

The term is used to refer to laboratory experiments because they are often carried out in glass containers.

4. E pluribus unum

Answer: 'out of many, one'

It is the motto of the United States and is found on the Great Seal and on U.S. currency. It refers to the Union formed by the separate states.

5. Ibid(em)

Answer: 'in the same place'

It is used in footnotes and bibliographies to refer to the source cited in the previous entry.

6. Pro forma

Answer: satisfying only the minimum requirements

Children might make their beds pro forma by just throwing the spread or comforter over the sheets.

7. Ante-bellum

Answer: 'before the war'

Often used to describe houses built 30-40 years before the American Civil War.

8. In loco parentis

Answer: to assume the duties and responsibilities of a parent

Literally means 'in the place of a parent.' At one time colleges and universities acted in loco parentis for their students.

9. Nolo contendere

Answer: neither admitting guilt or claiming innocence

Commonly known as a no-contest plea.

10. Sine qua non

Answer: the essential ingredient

The Latin translation is 'without which nothing.'

11. Sic

Answer: an apparent error is quoted and is not an editorial mistake

If a newspaper were quoting someone who spoke in error, it might look like this. John Smith said, 'I will be backing John(sic) W. Bush all the way.'

12. Ex post facto

Answer: an explanation concocted after an event, sometimes misleading

Latin translation is 'after the deed.'

13. Ad hoc

Answer: created for a particular occasion

Latin translation is 'toward this (matter).' The term is often used to refer to committees formed to address a specific or short-term issue.

14. Non sequitur

Answer: a thought that does not logically follow

Latin translation is: 'It does not follow.'

15. Non compos mentis

Answer: out of one's mind so not legally responsible

From Latin meaning 'not having control of the mind.'

16. Quid pro quo

Answer: a fair exchange

This phrase is often used in {diplomacy;} from Latin meaning 'something for something.'

17. Per capita

Answer: 'by heads'

We use this phrase any time we measure something for each person.

18. Caveat emptor

Answer: be alert to the possibility of being cheated

Latin for 'Let the buyer beware.'

19. Carpe diem

Answer: take advantage of opportunities

Carpe diem literally means 'seize the day.'

20. Habeas corpus

Answer: an accused person must be presented physically in court and given sufficient cause for arrest

Latin translation is 'You may have the body.' It means that no one can be imprisoned indefinitely without appearing in court and having charges formally made against him or her.

Source: Author jellow_10

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