Latin Profanity in Popular Culture
The HBO/BBC2 original television series Rome depicts the city with the grit and grime that is often absent from earlier productions, including that of language. But since the actors speak English, Latin profanity is mostly seen in written graffiti, such as:
- ATIA FELLAT, "Atia sucks"; "fellatio" is a noun derived from this verb.
- ATIA AMAT OMNES, "Atia loves all ". Thus calling her a whore or slut.
- CAESARI SERVILIA FUTATRIX, "Servilia is Caesar's bitch".
However, the character Titus Pullo says "cack!" occasionally when irritated, most likely a derivative of caco above.
Read more about this topic: Latin Profanity
Famous quotes containing the words latin, profanity, popular and/or culture:
“I am not of the opinion generally entertained in this country [England], that man lives by Greek and Latin alone; that is, by knowing a great many words of two dead languages, which nobody living knows perfectly, and which are of no use in the common intercourse of life. Useful knowledge, in my opinion, consists of modern languages, history, and geography; some Latin may be thrown into the bargain, in compliance with custom, and for closet amusement.”
—Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl Chesterfield (1694–1773)
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“Resorts advertised for waitresses, specifying that they “must appear in short clothes or no engagement.” Below a Gospel Guide column headed, “Where our Local Divines Will Hang Out Tomorrow,” was an account of spirited gun play at the Bon Ton. In Jeff Winney’s California Concert Hall, patrons “bucked the tiger” under the watchful eye of Kitty Crawhurst, popular “lady” gambler.”
—Administration in the State of Colo, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)
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