Ancient words

Most people don't know what these brilliant Latin phrases mean!

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Many of us are familiar with popular Latin phrases such as et cetera, mea culpa, and per se. However, Latin is a rich language that has given us many more expressions—some less famous but still incredibly useful in everyday life. Join us as we explore 10 Latin phrases that everyone should be using!

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In vino veritas is a Latin phrase that might become your favorite. It translates to "In wine, there is truth," and, as you can imagine, it means that people often speak honestly after having some alcohol. Now you know exactly what to say the next time someone reveals a secret!

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We humans can be quite stubborn, often insisting on doing things that, deep down, we know are impossible. In such situations, you can use the phrase Mulgere hircum, which translates to "to milk a male goat" in English. It doesn’t make sense, does it? That’s the point! The saying describes useless attempts, trying to accomplish something that is impossible.

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It’s time to talk about love! We’ve all been in love at some point, right? And while feeling butterflies in your stomach is a universal experience, love isn’t always easy. There’s a beautiful Latin phrase for that: Si vis amari, ama, which translates to "If you want to be loved, love." And it’s not just about romantic relationships! In all areas of life, we must give what we hope to receive.

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Let’s cut to the chase: Lupus in fabula means "The wolf in the story." But what does this intriguing expression refer to? These Latin words are used when you’re talking about someone, and they suddenly appear at that very moment. There’s a similar expression in English that you’re probably familiar with: "Speak of the devil."

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After a swift and decisive victory in 47 BC, Julius Caesar is said to have proclaimed, Veni, vidi, vici, which translates to "I came, I saw, I conquered." What a powerful expression! You can make it your own every time you achieve a goal you've been chasing or when you finally win that intense board game at the family reunion!

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Attributed to Julius Caesar, this phrase was spoken by the Roman general as he advanced with his army. But what does it mean? Alea iacta est translates to "The die is cast" in English. A bit dramatic, we know! Fortunately, in modern life, there’s no need to be so drastic. You can use it in moments when something feels inevitable or a decision is final—you know, when there’s no turning back.

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Sometimes, people make promises they don’t keep or say things that aren’t entirely true. That’s when the Latin expression Acta non verba comes in handy. Meaning "Deeds, not words" or "Actions, not words," it emphasizes the importance of facts over mere talk. After all, what you do matters more than what you say!

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Somewhat related to the previous phrase, Audentes fortuna iuvat translates to "Fortune favors the bold." Attributed to the poet Virgil in The Aeneid, this Latin proverb encourages us to take action—bold, fearless action! According to this idea, those who dare to be courageous are the ones who succeed. So go ahead—take that chance!

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As the story goes, when a group of senators attacked Julius Caesar, he famously uttered the words Et tu, Brute? ("You too, Brutus?") upon seeing his trusted friend Brutus among his attackers.

Thus, this phrase is often used in the face of betrayal. Now you know exactly what to say the next time a friend makes a move that leaves you in a tough spot during a game of Risk!

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Another useful phrase for everyday life is Barba non facit philosophum. These words, which may seem difficult to decipher, translate to "A beard does not make a philosopher." Ironically, the phrase was popularized by Roger Bacon—a philosopher! This expression suggests that appearances can be misleading and that having impressive features alone isn’t enough to define a person.

Literary friends

Go back to your childhood with these 10 endearing book characters!

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Let’s travel back in time, all the way to our childhoods. Can you remember that magical time when playtime was the only thing that mattered? Those wonderful, countless hours spent playing and daydreaming with our friends? Still, we’d like to focus on a different type of memory: those unforgettable bedtime stories our loved ones used to read to us. With that in mind, we’ve decided to pay tribute to 10 of our favorite characters from children's books. With a bit of luck, you’ll be able to reconnect with your inner child and thank your favorite characters for all the fun times shared. Enjoy!

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In the 1920s, English author A. A. Milne took inspiration from his son Christopher Robin’s toys to create what is perhaps the world’s most famous teddy bear. Pooh first appeared in the 1926 book aptly titled Winnie-the-Pooh, which was followed in 1928 by The House at Pooh Corner.

What’s perhaps most endearing about Pooh and his friends is that they truly felt like teddy bears come to life: not only were they cuddly and adorable, but they also got into all sorts of adventures with the fictionalized version of Christopher Robin.

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Leave it to Dr. Seuss to create such a wonderfully strange character! The Cat in the Hat, first featured in the 1957 book of the same name, is not what you would call a reliable companion. After all, he wreaks havoc in the protagonists' house, to the dismay of their tidy and orderly goldfish.

However, when you think about it, the Cat shows up at the exact moment: on a cold and rainy day, when the children are bored and alone. In that sense, this wacky character manages to both entertain the children and us, the readers, at the same time.

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We wish we could focus only on pleasant characters, but unfortunately, it's time for the Grinch to show up! This green creature is probably Dr. Seuss’ most famous character, made iconic by a legendary 1966 Christmas special featuring the voice of Boris Karloff. While the Grinch is definitively not a nice guy at the start of the story, he (literally) has a change of heart by the end and becomes the lovely character he was always meant to be.

By the way, did you know how the Grinch got his famous green fur? In the original Dr. Seuss story, the character was depicted as white, but by the time the TV special was being produced, the animators needed to give the Grinch a color. Director Chuck Jones chose this shade of green from a (rather ugly) car he was renting at the time.

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Like many books in this article, it might be a tad demeaning to consider Anne of Green Gables merely a children’s book. Published in 1908, this novel is suitable for readers of all ages. That said, entire generations of children and teenagers have cherished the adventures and dreams of Anne Shirley, the redheaded 11-year-old created by Lucy Maud Montgomery.

One of the most interesting aspects of this character is that she seemed to grow alongside her readers. Anne’s life is told from her childhood up to her final years throughout the series of novels. Regardless, she’ll always be that sweet, freckled girl in the eyes of her beloved readers.

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Author Eric Carle proved that it doesn’t take much to create an endearing character: You just need a small caterpillar with a large appetite. Carle’s book tells the story of "a tiny and very hungry caterpillar," from its early days to its transformation into a butterfly.

The Very Hungry Caterpillar is fondly remembered not only for its amazing illustrations but also for its simple yet catchy prose. Not only was it a huge bestseller at the time of its publication in the late '60s, but it is still recommended by bookstores all over the world.

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Winnie the Pooh is not the only teddy bear to make it to this list! Written and illustrated by Don Freeman in 1968, Corduroy tells the delightful story of a small bear named Corduroy and the adventures he has in his search for his missing button. In the end, he finds something better: a friend named Lisa, who adopts Corduroy and takes him home.

Over 50 years after its publication, this book is still considered one of the best children's books of all time. Teachers highly recommend Corduroy since it teaches kids about friendship while also taking place in an everyday setting.

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Thanks to its legendary 1939 film adaptation, people tend to forget that The Wizard of Oz was first a groundbreaking children’s novel. In that sense, while Judy Garland will forever be the quintessential Dorothy Gale, we should take some time to honor the character behind such an iconic role.

In Frank L. Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy is depicted as a sweet, caring, and brave girl determined to not only return home to Kansas but also help her friends navigate the fantastical yet daunting Land of Oz.

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Lions understandably have a royal aura: Not only have they been featured on the coats of arms of many royal families, but they have also been portrayed as kings in films and literature. However, few fictional lions have shown the warmth, nobility, and leadership of Aslan, the powerful King of Beasts from C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia series.

In all his book appearances, Aslan has been a guiding force and a symbol of good, usually leading the human characters toward a happy ending. Perhaps most famously, Aslan helps the Pevensie siblings fight the White Witch’s rule over Narnia in The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

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British author Roald Dahl had the genius idea of taking something as universally loved by children as candy and making it even more whimsical. The 1964 novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory took us on a tour through Willy Wonka’s delightfully weird factory, showing us all the amazing inventions that came from the mind of this eccentric chocolatier.

While definitely a trickster, Wonka is also an extremely warm and caring character, eventually passing on his love for candy to the young Charlie Bucket. We couldn’t end this entry without paying tribute to what’s perhaps the most endearing film adaptation of this character: Gene Wilder’s portrayal of Wonka in the 1971 film Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.

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We’ll end this article with a book that managed to turn monsters into some of the most beloved characters in history. Maurice Sendak’s Where the Wild Things Are tells the story of a mischievous young boy named Max, who finds himself on an island inhabited by monsters known as the "Wild Things."

Thanks to its incredible illustrations, this book taught both children and adults how to find beauty in things that were previously overlooked. While at times intimidating, Sendak’s Wild Things are still lovely creatures who have charmed generations of children in the 60 years since its publication.