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| Latin to English translations [Non-PRO] | | Latin term or phrase: illegitimus non carborundum | | this is a phrase that I need to know to win a contest. |
| | | Dont let the bastards get you down | Explanation:
It´s illegitimis, not -us, Dat. pl.
This is a lovely little classicist´s joke, Wanting to translate into Latin the motto "Don´´t let the bastards get you down, he chose "illegitimus -> illegitimis", although this was not used earlier in this sense, he invented the pseudo-gerundive "carborundum", which is actually the English name of a substance which is used for grinding, hence the retranslation. I don´t think this is a Latin word at all. And the whole is then so formed that it and formed them into a tag just reeking of Rome, although it has neve been anywhere near there (Carthago ...). But what the illustrious perpetrator undoubtedly meant was "Don´t let the bastards get you down". :-)
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Note added at 2002-03-05 02:15:42 (GMT)
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I see my proof-reader let me down there, but a misconstruction is not out of place here. :-)
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Note added at 2002-03-05 02:27:41 (GMT)
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http://www.ku.edu/history/index/europe/ancient_rome/E/Gazett... but hold onto your hat. |
| Selected response from:
Chris Rowson
Local time: 20:34
| Grading comment Wow, this really helped me a lot. I looked everywhere on-line trying to find out what it ment with no luck. Thanks so much for all your help.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer |
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| Discussion entries: 0 |
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Automatic update in 00:
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5 mins confidence:   peer agreement (net): +3 Don't let the bastards grrind you down
Explanation:
See this explanation:
ILLEGITIMUS NON CARBORUNDUM
Phrase
"Don't let the bastards grind you down." An appealing sentiment with numerous variants in pseudo-Latin.
Also as: NIL CARBORUNDUM ILLIGITIUM.
Origins: probably military.
Reference:
DBS p.203
|   Fernando Muela
Spain
Local time: 20:34
Native speaker of: Spanish
PRO pts in pair: 12
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