In some way, dear readers, Gumshoe was always fascinated with Latin. It probably stems from young Gumshoe being a novice altar boy during his first year as a seminary student when the Catholic Mass was celebrated entirely in that ancient tongue.
Gregorian Chants still give Gumshoe that surreal Heavenly feeling and they cause the demons to scram back to their Hellhole as Satan even trembles.
Latin appeared in Gumshoe’s adolescent mind to be simultaneously mysterious and alluring.
Sorta of an atavistic code linking the past to the present. Crossing the Rubicon once the die was cast and the code was revealed.
Caesar proclaimed his victory in a letter to the Roman Senate: “Veni, Vedi, Vici” (I came, I saw, I conquered). One of Gumshoe’s favorite survival mantras for all cops by the way.
The repeated “mea cuplas“ to the “maxima mea cuplas“ still echo inside the ears of Gumshoe’s contrite heart.
Latin seemed to be a secretive jargon uttered between toga-clad Roman senators as well as by the wizen gray-haired orators to the Patricians. Plebeians were just too busy to listen.
Gumshoe has often heard that Latin was a dead language. However, it refuses to die just like the Zombies!
Nowadays, Latin terms and words are still utilized by the toga-less-clad legal barristers as well in the written scribbled hieroglyphics of a physician’s drug prescription.
Although today’s orators are the rappers who would be unable to speak nor comprehend “Pig Latin” regardless of their “Street Creds”.
The Shakespearean Latin phrase, “Et tu Brute?” is still used today as it was spoken by a shocked- knife-ambushed Julius Caesar as he was fillet by a trusted friend who was among the other dagger-thrusting senators. That definitely gave a starker meaning to a Senate vote of censor. Ouch!
“Pax Romana?” No way Jose!
Zombie-speak is alive and well. Now let us all await the Apocalypse.
Always remember to love the ones who love you and really try to love the ones who don’t.
Coram Deo!
Actually I miss the Latin Mass! Dominus vobiscum! et cum spiritu tuo.! It sounded so much better in Latin! Wasn’t Latin considered the first language of Love?
Anyway Gumshoe thanks for a great article.
Semper Fi
I’m with you Tom. The Catholic high Mass with all of the bells and smells was indeed beautiful with the Latin liturgy sung and the Eucharist presented. Worship at its best as the angels in Heaven were united with the community of saints (the church militant; the church suffering and the church triumphant). Gloria excelsior!
Thanks for your always welcomed comments my friend. Pax Tecum
Latin definitely can lose many but of course we have to hope this will never happen. Great Article on the word alone “Latin”
Pax Tacum!
Probably not going to happen. However, I have learned to never say never. I was once the only Southern Baptist to ever be indoctrinated into the Knights of Columbus.
The Napoleon cap with the plumes along with the long sword would be you Sir Ken.
I’m still struggling with English. Latin is far beyond my ability to deal with languages.
Don’t give up my friend Ken; you still have the makings of a good altar boy!