The Latin quote
Universities are gradually dropping Latin from their graduation certificates, presumably because it isn’t impressing employers as it once did.
Doctors and dentists have been awing patients for years with their Latin scrolls declaring themselves graduates of this universitas or that.
As you sit shivering with only a hospital gown to cover your nudity in a doctor’s office, the only reading material in sight is a framed and sealed document testifying to the professional qualifications of the person about to add to your discomfiture.
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Latin used to be a staple of a scholar’s education. When someone wanted to stun you with a learned observation in the distant past one would throw in an appropriate Latin phrase.Some people who hadn’t studied Latin often would learn a few phrases as a matter of one-upmanship.
I recall former farmers union president Joe Phelps throwing off the phrase “mutatis mutandis,” one day, sending me fleeing to consult our office dictionary. It was a legal term relating to things being exchanged that should be changed.
The next time I saw him and heard his criticisms of government policies I used one I’d looked up, “sic transit gloria mundi.” (thus passes the glory of the world). Unfortunately, he had heard that one and thought I was being dismissive of his legitimate complaints.
However, we snobs must recognize affectations are not appreciated in this up front age.
Universities have responded to this trend. In future those of you who graduate in arts rather than artibus will have to rely on something other than Latin for impressing people with your academic achievement.
