Latin and Greek Words and Phrases Everyone Should Know (Part 2 of 2)

In an effort to unveil the esoteric lingo of the professional fields, and bring pleasure to the minds of our readers, we have compiled some of the most useful, interesting, and awesome Latin and Greek words and phrases.

εὕρηκα (Eureka): I have found!

This word actually appears as an English word in modern dictionaries. But, it is in fact, a Greek word that has gone unchanged. It was famously uttered by the Greek scientist, philosopher and mathematician, Archimedes. During a relaxing bath, the famous scientist discovered that the amount of water displaced must be equal to the volume of the submerged parts of the body. He was so excited he ran through the streets shouting, eureka!!!

Curriculum Vitae: The course of one’s life

Most business owners or job applicants have seen this term thrown around. It is slowly replacing the word resume (a French word).  A curriculum vitae is almost required to gain a medical internship, professorship, or interview for a law firm.

Morituri te salutant: to those about to die, we salute you!

This comes from the gladiatorial school of life. Before the gladiatorial games emperors would bellow this phrase before the coliseum, and the gladiators would raise their swords to the thundering applause of the crowd.

Η καμήλα δεν βλέπει την καμπούρα τη (The camel does not see her own hump): 

This an old Greek proverb that everyone should be familiar with. Its counterpart is the Christian proverb, “some people can see moat in others eyes, but can’t see the beam in their own.” Something similar also appears in a Bob Marley song: “judge not, before you judge yourself.” The lesson to learn is that most people can see other’s faults but can’t see their own.