States Questions—Novice

Question 1

We see the Latin word “ante” in a lot of phrases and abbreviations. What does the abbreviation a.c. on a perscription mean in both Latin and English?

Answer 1

ANTE CIBUM-BEFORE FOOD/ANTE CENAM-BEFORE DINNER

B1: What does the phrase a.m. mean in both English and Latin?

ANTE MERIDIEM-BEFORE NOON

B2: If you are reading a history book and you see the phrase ante bellum, what does that mean?

BEFORE THE (CIVIL) WAR

Question 2

You are reading a footnote in an academic article and you see the Latin abbreviation “op.cit.”. What is that abbreviation short for and what does it mean?

Answer 2

OPERE CITATO-IN THE WORK CITED

B1: In that same article in a later footnote you see the abbreviation “ibid.”. What is that short for and what does it mean?

IBIDEM-IN THE SAME PLACE

B2: In that same article in a later footnote you see the abbreviation “loc. cit.”. What is that short for and what does it mean?

LOCO CITATO-IN THE PLACE CITED

Question 3

At this point you should always remember the motto of the Marines. What is that motto?

Answer 3

SEMPER FIDĒLIS

B1: Likewise you should always remember the motto of the Coast Guard. What is that motto?

SEMPER PARĀTUS

B2: Additionally you should always remember the motto of the Space Force. What is this motto that translates to “Always Above”?

SEMPER SUPRĀ

Question 4

“Omnia mutantur, nihil interit” was uttered by what Roman author who also said that only fools laugh at the Latin Language?”

Answer 4

OVID

B1: Without looking at your program, please translate this year’s theme: “Omnia mutantur, nihil interit.”

EVERYTHING CHANGES, NOTHING IS LOST

B2: Give the Latin for that second Ovidian quote: “Only fools laugh at the Latin Language.”

RIDENT STOLIDI VERBA LATINA

Question 5

What state has as its motto “nil sine numine”?

Answer 5

COLORADO

B1: What state has as its motto “crescit eundo”?

NEW MEXICO

B2: What state has as its motto “ditat deus”?

ARIZONA

Question 6

What state has as its motto “Esse quam videri”?

Answer 6

NORTH CAROLINA

B1: What nearby state has the motto “Sic semper tyrranis”?

VIRGINIA

B2: What state near Virginia has the motto “Scuto bonae voluntatis tuae coronasti nos”?

MARYLAND

Question 7

What two word phrase, generally used in legal situations, means that a lawyer will take a case without payment?

Answer 7

PRO BONO

B1: What two word phrase is used to describe an individual who is not part of a case, but is allowed to assist the court in offering information or expertise relevant to the case?

AMICUS CURIAE

B2: What two word legal phrase refers to the idea that a person cannot be convicted of a crime unless it is proven that the crime was committed?

CORPUS DELICTI

Question 8

This year’s state theme “amor animi arbitrio sumitur non ponitur” talks a lot about love. What Latin author gives us the quote “amor omnia vincit” in his Eclogues?

Answer 8

VERGIL

B1: What is the English translation of that motto?

LOVE CONQUERS ALL

B2: What does the two word phrase “amor patriae” refer to?

PATRIOTISM/LOVE OF COUNTRY

Question 9

What Latin abbreviation, commonly found on tombstones, literally translates as “may he rest in peace”?

Answer 9

R.I.P.

B1: What is the meaning of the phrase found on tombstones “hic iacet sepultus”?

HERE LIES BURIED

B2: What abbreviation is used if the exact dates of a historical figure are not known, but the time in which they were active is known?

FL.

Question 10

What Latin phrase, which serves as the motto of the U.S. Coast Guard, means “always prepared”?

Answer 10

SEMPER PARĀTUS

B1: What Latin phrase, which serves as the motto of the U.S. Marine Corps, means “always faithful”?

SEMPER FĪDĒLIS

B2: What Latin phrase, which serves as the motto of the Commonwealth of Virginia, means “thus always to tyrants”?

SIC SEMPER TYRRANĪS

Question 11

Give the Latin and English for the abbreviation i.e.

Answer 11

ID EST – THAT IS

B1: …for the abbreviation e.g.

EXEMPLĪ GRATIĀ – FOR (THE SAKE OF AN) EXAMPLE

B2: …for the abbreviation p.o.

PER OS – BY MOUTH / ORALLY

Question 12

What state has the motto Sic Semper Tyrannīs?

Answer 12

VIRGINIA

B1: …has the motto Ditat Deus?

ARIZONA

B2: …has the motto Montānī Semper Līberī?

WEST VIRGINIA

Question 13

Translate the motto of Yale University, Lūx et Veritās

Answer 13

LIGHT AND TRUTH

B1: Translate the motto of Columbia University, In lumine tuō vidēbimus lumen.

IN THY (YOUR) LIGHT WE SHALL SEE LIGHT

B2: Translate the motto of Fordham University, Sapientia et Doctrina.

WISDOM AND LEARNING

Question 14

I meant to say “Pantheon,” but I accidently said “Parthenon.” What Latin phrase would be used to describe my “slip of the tongue”?

Answer 14

LAPSUS LINGUAE

B1: What Latin phrase, commonly translated as “in memory of,” might you find on a tombstone?

IN MEMORIAM

B2: What Latin phrase, commonly translated as “after death,” is often used to refer to an autopsy?

POST MORTEM

Question 15

Sometimes you see these Latin phrases scattered about textbooks - especially old ones Can you tell me what the phrase ante bellum means?

Answer 15

Answer: BEFORE THE WAR

B1. Now tell me a two word phrase meaning entirely

Answer: IN TOTO

B2. Now tell me a two word phrase meaning the existing state of affairs

Answer: STATUS QUO

Question 16

Abbreviations are important! Give the Latin and English for abbreviation e.g.

Answer 16

Answer: EXEMPLI GRATIA, FOR THE SAKE OF EXAMPLE

B1. Give the Latin and English for abbreviation etc.

Answer: ET CETERA AND THE REST/AND SO FORTH

B2. Give the Latin and English for abbreviation i.e.

Answer: ID EST, THAT IS

Question 17

What univeristy has as its motto lux et veritas?

Answer 17

Answer: YALE

B1. What does that motto mean?

Answer: LIGHT AND TRUTH

B2. Also having an enlightened motto is the Univeristy of Washington. Give its Latin motto and
its meaning.

Answer: LUX SIT, LET THERE BE LIGHT

Question 18

Which state has ditat deus as its motto?

Answer 18

Answer: ARIZONA

B1. What does that motto mean?

Answer: GOD ENRICHES

B2. Now give the one word motto of Maine.

Answer: DIRIGO

Question 19

Give the Latin and the English for the Latin motto of Wyoming

Answer 19

Answer: CEDANT ARMA TOGAE, LET ARMS YIELD TO THE TOGA

B1. From what author’s works does this motto come?

Answer: CICERO

B2. Give the Latin motto of Virginia and its meaning

Answer: SIC SEMPER TYRANNIS THUS ALWAYS TO TYRANTS

Question 20

What Latin phrase can be used to mean “for the sake of formality”

Answer 20

Answer: PRO FORMA

B1. What Latin phrase is used in English to mean ”proportionately”

Answer: PRO RATA

B2. What Latin phrase can mean “temporarily”

Answer: PRO TEMPORE

Question 21

Mottos can be interesting and morbid. Take this one for instance: aut mors aut victoria What does it mean?

Answer 21

Answer: EITHER VICTORY OR DEATH

B1. More hopeful is this one: Mors, ianua vitae What does this mean?

Answer: DEATH, THE DOOR OF/TO/FOR LIFE (or equivalent)

B2. Translate this: mors celerrima hostibus

Answer: VERY SWIFT DEATH TO ENEMIES

Question 22

Give the Latin and English for b.i.d.

Answer 22

Answer: BIS IN DIE, TWICE A DAY

B1. Capital C.p. is different from lower case c.p The lower case version means compare. What does the upper case mean?

Answer: WITH THE OTHER THINGS EQUAL

B2. What is the Latin for this?

Answer: CETERIS PARIBUS

Question 23

Give the Latin and the English for the abbreviation e.g.

Answer 23

Answer: EXEMPLI GRATIA, FOR (THE SAKE OF) EXAMPLE

B1. Give the Latin and the English for the abbreviation i.e.

Answer: ID EST, THAT IS

B2. Give the Latin and the English for the abbreviation q.e.d.

Answer: QUOD ERAT DEMONSTRANDUM,
(THAT) WHICH HAD TO BE PROVED

Question 24

what is the meaning of the phrase lapsus linguae?

Answer 24

Answer: A SLIP OF THE TONGUE/MISSPOKEN.

B1. What is a lapsus calami?

Answer: A SLIP OF THE PEN/MISWRITTEN/TYPO.

B2. What would the Latin phrase for a mental mistake be?

Answer: LAPSUS MEMORIAE

Question 25

What is the Latin motto of Campbell University? It is the same as the state of Kansas.

Answer 25

Answer: **AD ASTRA, PER ASPERA** ## Footnote B1. What does this motto mean? Answer: TO THE STARS, THROUGH DIFFICULTIES. B2. Give the Yale’s Latin motto and its English meaning. Answer: **LUX ET VERITAS**, LIGHT AND TRUTH

Question 26

What Latin phrase is used to indicate that a person is acting to discharge the duties of office or that something is done “by virtue of the office”

Answer 26

Answer: **EX OFFICIO** ## Footnote B1. What Latin phrase is used in a book to show that it comes from someone’s personal library? Answer: **EX LIBRIS** B2. What Latin phrase is used in stage directions to show that everyone has exited the stage? Answer: **EXEUNT OMNES**

Question 27

What is the meaning of the famous Roman quotation “**Civis Romanus sum**”

Answer 27

Answer: I AM A ROMAN CITIZEN ## Footnote B1. Who said this in his speech against Verres? Answer: (M. TULLIUS) CICERO B2. Cicero was himself quoting a Roman citizen who had been unjustly crucified by Verres. Who was this citizen? Answer: PUBLIUS GAVIUS

Question 28

Give the Latin and the English for the medical abbreviation **p.r.n.**

Answer 28

Answer: **PRO RE NATA**, (TAKE) AS NEEDED ## Footnote B1. Give the Latin and the English for the medical abbreviation **o.s.** Answer: **OCULUS SINISTER**, LEFT EYE (OCULO SINISTRO, IN…) B2. Give the Latin and the English for the medical abbreviation **a.s.** Answer: **AURIS SINISTER**, LEFT EAR (AURE SINISTRA, IN…)

Question 29

For which state is **cedant arma togae** a motto?

Answer 29

Answer: WYOMING ## Footnote B1. What does this motto mean? Answer: LET ARMS YIELD TO THE TOGA B2. Which author is the source of this motto? Answer: (M. TULLIUS) CICERO

Question 30

Give the Latin and English for the abbreviation **rx.**

Answer 30

**RECIPĒ** - TAKE (AS DIRECTED) ## Footnote B1: Give the Latin and English for the abbreviation **p.o.** **PER ŌS** - BY MOUTH / ORALLY B2: Give the Latin and English for the abbreviation **q.v.** **QUOD VIDĒ** - WHICH SEE

Question 31

**Cēdant arma togae** is the Latin motto of what state?

Answer 31

WYOMING ## Footnote B1: Translate that motto. LET ARMS YIELD TO THE TOGA B2: Who is the author of this motto? CICERO

Question 32

Translate the motto of Johns Hopkins University, **Veritās Vōs Līberābit.**

Answer 32

THE TRUTH WILL SET YOU FREE ## Footnote B1: Translate the motto of Sewanee, the University of the South, **Ecce quam bonum**. BEHOLD, HOW GOOD B2: Translate the motto of Columbia University, **In lumine tuō vidēbimus lumen**. IN THY LIGHT WE SHALL SEE LIGHT

Question 33

Give two states which have one word Latin mottoes?

Answer 33

NEW YORK & MAINE ## Footnote B1: Give the Latin mottoes of both New York and Maine. **EXCELSIOR & DIRIGŌ** B2: What state has a one word Greek motto? CALIFORNIA

Question 34

Green is your absolute FAVORITE color, and so you buy a red hat. What Latin phrase could be used to designate this illogicality?

Answer 34

**NŌN SEQUITUR** ## Footnote B1: What Latin phrase might you say to reinforce the idea that it doesn't really matter that green is your friend's favorite color and blue is yours? **DĒ GUSTIBUS NŌN EST DISPUTANDUM** B2: What Latin phrase might you say to your teammates if they complain when you buzz in and miss a toss-up question? **MEA CULPA / ERRĀRE HUMANUM EST**