Vocabulary Mnemonics

August 17, 2024

Matt’s words

Caveat emptor (n): buyer beware

If you’re going to shop at a used car lot, caveat emptor

The ripped me off at the flea market! Caveat Emptor…

Mnemonic: caveat means a small warning or explanation. Emptor sounds like “empty,” as in “there’s no caveat.”

Cogito ergo sum (dictum): I think, therefore I am

From Rene Descartes. The first principle of knowledge. How do I know I exist? Cogito ergo sum. (because I think).

Mnemonic: “Cogito” has to do with being cogent (clear thinking). “Ergo” means therefore. “Sum” sounds like something.

Deus ex machina (n): god out of a machine; a god from a machine

Plot device to wrap up a story. Contrived.

In Greek theaters gods hung above the stage and were sent down to wrap up a play.

Examples: Princess Bride: the poison Wesley is given happens to be the one he’s been building up an intolerance to.

Jurassic Park: T-rex shows up at the end to save everyone, suddenly you can’t hear its footsteps.

At this point, the inmate’s only hope for avoiding execution was a deus ex machina.

Mnemonic: Break it down literally. “Deus” is god, “machina” is machine.

Veni vidi vici (quotation from Julius Caesar): I came, I saw, I conquered.

How did the game go? Veni vidi vici

Mnemonic: Remember that it’s three things, all related.

Mnemonic 2: “Venir” in Spanish means “come.”

Mnemonic 3: “Vici” sounds like it could be “victory.”

Terra firma (n): solid ground

After the 7-day cruise it felt good to be back on terra firma.

Typically only used in connection with flying or boating.

Mnemonic: Terra means “earth,” like in terrarium. Firma means “firm,” or solid.

Dr. Mom’s words

Ad hoc (adj):for the particular end or case at hand without consideration of wider application

The governing body’s decisions seem always to be made ad hoc, not a great long-term strategy.

We threw together an ad hoc committee to organize next week’s festival.

Mnemonic: Literally means “for this.” Think, “Let’s ad(d) the “Hiccups Off Committee” or the “Hippos Out Committee.” These are formed on the fly, on the occasion of a specific need.

Bona fide (adj): neither specious nor counterfeit, genuine; made in good faith, without fraud or deceit

My neighbor made a bona fide offer to buy my old record player.

Mnemonic: Literally means “in good faith,” with bon meaning good or well (French, bonne and Spanish, bien; bon vivant. the good life), and fide meaning faith (“adeste fideles” and “infidelity”)  

Magnum opus (adj): a great work; the greatest achievement of a writer or artist

Tolstoy’s magnum opus is generally considered to be his magnificent tome, War and Peace.

Mnemonic: “Magnum” is related to “magnitude,” as in a large amount, and “opus” begins the same way as operate, as in to work on something. Think of a large operation, or great work.

Mea culpa (n): a personal acknowledgement of personal fault or error; confession

The lawmaker’s public mea culpa didn’t satisfy her mistreated constituents.

Mnemonic: Literally means “through my fault.” Think, “Me” is “culpable.”

Prima facie (adj):accepted as correct until proven otherwise; based on the first impression, apparent; at first view, on first impression

The intuition behind the victim’s story, though prima facie compelling, doesn’t hold up under closer scrutiny.

Mnemonic: “Prima” means first or center, as in primary, (prime rib, prima ballerina). Facie is pronounced like “face,” so you could imagine the thing you “first face,” or view first. You could also think of one’s face as being closely related to the impression you have about someone. 

MAGNUS sententia: 😊

Beginning with both a caveat emptor and a bona fide mea culpa that the declaration I’m about to make may be somewhat deus ex machina and not my magnum opus since ancient history is not my bailiwick, I do believe I’m standing on terra firma when I opine that prima facie evidence reveals that Julius Caesar, after an ad hoc meeting with his legates, did not famously declare, “Veni, vidi, vici,” but actually uttered, “Cogito, ergo sum.”