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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
4578

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 74 (12/20), Guest 174 (16/20), Guest 67 (11/20).

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

choosing sides

making excuses

taking the blame

offering an explanation

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Question 3 of 20

3. In vitro Hint

'in life'

'in glass'

'in science'

'in the imagination'

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Question 4 of 20

4. E pluribus unum Hint

'out of many, one'

'united we stand'

'in God we trust'

'by the people'

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Question 5 of 20

5. Ibid(em) Hint

'egotistical'

'in the same place'

'idiotic'

'at the bottom'

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Question 6 of 20

6. Pro forma Hint

satisfying only the minimum requirements

in favor of form over content

lacking originality

supporting group consensus

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Question 7 of 20

7. Ante-bellum Hint

'against war'

'before the war'

'against excessive ornamentation

'in favor of beauty'

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Question 8 of 20

8. In loco parentis Hint

legal term for an insanity plea

the act of committing one's parents to an institution

to assume the duties and responsibilities of a parent

to assume power of attorney for someone

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Question 9 of 20

9. Nolo contendere Hint

don't be disagreeable or argumentative

dissatisfied with services rendered

legal term to describe an ugly divorce

neither admitting guilt or claiming innocence

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Question 10 of 20

10. Sine qua non Hint

the essential ingredient

lack of understanding

clearheadedness

a code word

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Question 11 of 20

11. Sic Hint

attack command for dogs

an apparent error is quoted and is not an editorial mistake

such as

something is confusing

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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

created for a particular occasion

in the private sector

permanent

having a military function

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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

someone who is skeptical of parapsychology

suffering from writer's block

out of one's mind so not legally responsible

revealing one's innermost thoughts

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Question 16 of 20

16. Quid pro quo Hint

in favor of the usual order of things

in support of capitalism

a fair exchange

taxation is the backbone of government

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Question 17 of 20

17. Per capita Hint

'by leaders'

'by capitals'

'by states'

'by heads'

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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

take advantage of opportunities

denying the existence of gods

a person who hates Mondays

any religious holiday

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Question 20 of 20

20. Habeas corpus Hint

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

a person cannot be held without bail

a suspect must be read his Miranda rights before being arrested

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Most Recent Scores

Jan 16 2026 : Guest 74: 12/20
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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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