Councils ban use of “Latin-English” words
November 3rd, 2008 | by mj |A number of local councils in Britain have banned their staff from using Latin words, because they say they might confuse people.
Several local authorities have ruled that phrases like “vice versa”, “pro rata”, and even “via” should not be used, in speech or in writing.
Other local councils have banned “QED” and “ad hoc”, while other typical Latin terms include “bona fide”, “ad lib” and “quid pro quo”.
5 Responses to “Councils ban use of “Latin-English” words”
By Mike Cane on Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
>>>they might confuse people.
Saw this headline in passing. “People” was not there. “Immigrants” was.
Strangely, this post is picked up in my Dashboard as referring to my blog. Odd.
By Stephen Barnes on Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
Next we’ll not be able to use words of Indian origin like pjyamas and bungalow; French words like gateau, a la carte, au pair or chic; German words like frankfurter, hamburger, kindergarden, delicatessen or rucksack; Italian words like carpet, replica, pizza, algebra or villa; Spanish words like tango, siesta, ranch or pina colada; Russian words like vodka, pavlova or glasnost….. the list goes on.
I’d love to be able to say that I would like to be have carte-blanche to be a renegade vigalante, launch a mammoth blitz and karate chop on this kaput decision, and bid it adieu, but I fear it’s a fait acomplii.
By mj on Nov 3, 2008 | Reply
Bravo, Stephen, Bravo!
By Mike Cane on Nov 4, 2008 | Reply
Listen, the screwy ways things are going over there, very soon you won’t be able to use ENGLISH words.
WTF is wrong with your leaders over there? Can’t even get trash pickup done right (in England, at least!).
By James Hughes on Nov 4, 2008 | Reply
Ugh! They are part of our language now, adopted many moons ago. If you don’t understand a word stop being lazy and look it up!