My favorite latin phrase...

... is "Sic Semper Tyrannis" For those who don't know, it is the state motto of Virginia.



At some point, after I'd learned a decent amount of latin, I stumbled across the seal of Virginia, and decided to translate what I saw.

The first word: "sic" means thus in classical latin, but by medieval times had come to mean "yes", hence "si" in italian or latin. So, assuming that this was the meaning, I moved on to the second word.

"Semper". That one was easy. Always.

"Tyrannis". Well. That one is a little complicated. In greek, tyrranos only meant king, but by the time the romans used it, it meant pretty much what it does today - tyrant. It's a dative, which means it's "to tyrants" or "for tyrants".

Then I strung it all together -- "Yes" "Always" "To Tyrants". Now that seems like an authentic Virginian sentiment!

Soon after my laughter subsided, I realized that the correct translation was: "It is always thus for tyrants"