Comments on: Latin for snake

Question: Latin for snake

Raybun — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 15:55:40 -0800

Why cant I find a english to latin translation for either "snake" or "serpent"? I have been trying to use online translators. and none of the ones that I have trried come up with a match.

By: Bort

Bort — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 16:04:04 -0800

Serpent is a word of Latin origin (serpens, serpentis) which is ultimately derived from the Sanskrit term serp.

By: thewittyname

thewittyname — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 16:05:54 -0800

Bort has it, the Latin name for snake is serpens.

By: seawallrunner

seawallrunner — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 16:46:45 -0800

...meanwhile, the search for a Latin word for 'plane' continues...

By: rob511

rob511 — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 16:48:48 -0800

And Raybun, before you ask, there is no Latin word for airplane.

By: rob511

rob511 — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 16:52:21 -0800

D'oh — dufus maximum sum!

By: rob511

rob511 — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 16:53:14 -0800

maximus

By: oddman

oddman — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 17:04:11 -0800

"Cassell's Latin Dictionary" lists serpens, but also anguis as the translation of "snake." It also lists vipera as a translation used in poetry.

Serpens and anguis are also listed as the translations for "serpent."

As for "airplane" the Lexicon Recentis Latinitatis has this word, aeronave, which seems to fit. The Lexicon is the Catholic Church's attempt to create Latin words for modern things. So, this, to me, counts as Latin. (For a more historical word you might try to find the word (or phrase) Da Vinci used for his flying machines.)

I leave to other MeFites, to construct "Snakes on a Plane." (since my Latin is super rusty.)

By: sbutler

sbutler — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 18:37:04 -0800

angues in aeronavibus?

By: sbutler

sbutler — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 18:39:00 -0800

Wait... why did I make that plural? angues in aeronave

By: Schlimmbesserung

Schlimmbesserung — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 20:23:11 -0800

Whoa, Oddman, thanks for that link to the LRL. If only I spoke some Italian.

By: oddman

oddman — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 21:41:43 -0800

Well this is embarrasing. Schlimmbesserung's comment got me thnking and now I think "aeronave" is actually Italian. If so, the Latin would be "aëria navis."

Can anyone confirm that "aeronave" is Italian?

By: Schlimmbesserung

Schlimmbesserung — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 01:12:33 -0800

Babelfish confirms it, Oddman.

My Latin is seriously weak, but I think that makes the Vatican SoaP into Angues in Aëria Navibus. Real Latin scholars, please be gentle.

By: verstegan

verstegan — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 01:44:20 -0800

My copy of the Lexicon Recentis Latinitatis gives three possible words for aeroplane: aëronavis (-is, f.), aërovehiculum, aëroplanum. (The Italian word 'aeronave', which the Lexicon translates 'aëria navis', actually means 'airship', I think.)

So 'snakes in a plane' would be 'angues in aëronavi' (taking the ablative, because the snakes are already in, rather than going into, the plane).

By: randomination

randomination — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 03:57:22 -0800

Haec serpentes mater concubitum aeronavi mater concubitum dimittere volo

(Assuming 'serpens' is neutral, and concubitum is a probably incorrect gerundive, please correct)

By: randomination

randomination — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 04:02:25 -0800

Rob511: The Latin for 'dumbass' is caudex, btw. Caudex sum, caudex es, caudex est.

By: Schlimmbesserung

Schlimmbesserung — Mon, 21 Aug 2006 09:10:45 -0800

Verstegan: You actually own the thing? I envy. Dare I ask how much that thing set you back?

I knew to use the ablative; I just made the same mistake sbutler did and used the plural. It also probably bears mentioning that my book of grammar says the third-declension singular ablative could be either aëronavi or aëronave.

By: lukemeister

lukemeister — Tue, 22 Aug 2006 03:09:20 -0800

Somewhat closer to the present, Geoffrey Chaucer's blog currently features Serpentes on a Shippe!