latinorum
See also: Latinorum
Italian
Etymology
Unadapted borrowing from Latin latinōrum. The plural genitive ending is to make the word sound more Latin. Popularized by Alessandro Manzoni in The Betrothed (see quotations).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /la.tiˈnɔ.rum/
- Rhymes: -ɔrum
- Hyphenation: la‧ti‧nò‧rum
Noun
latinorum m (invariable)
- (chiefly humorous) the usage of Latin, aimed at not being understood
- 1840–1842, Alessandro Manzoni, chapter II, in I promessi sposi, Milan: Guglielmini e Redaelli, published in I promessi sposi - Storia della colonna infame:
- “Si piglia ella giuoco di me? Che vuol’ella ch’io faccia del suo latinorum?” ¶ “Dunque, se non sapete le cose, abbiate pazienza, e rimettetevene a chi le sa.”
- "Are you mocking me? What am I supposed to do with your Latin gibberish?" ¶ "Then, if you don't understand things, be patient, and rely on those who do."
- (by extension) mumbo jumbo
- Synonym: (colloquial) supercazzola
Further reading
- latinorum in Treccani.it – Vocabolario Treccani on line, Istituto dell'Enciclopedia Italiana
Latin
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