Marcus Aurelius

If it is not right do not do it; if it is not true do not say it. --Marcus Aurelius

Thursday, September 27, 2018

Phrase of the Day. Latin in the News. Kavanaugh and Ford testify before Senate Judiciary 9/27/2018

Phrase of the day:"Falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus."

I don't imagine that most of you were able to watch the Senate hearings that were called to examine Judge Brett Kavanaugh's fitness for a lifetime appointment to the Supreme Court.  He was accused of sexual assault  when he was in high school and had to defend himself against the allegation. 

Since many legal terms derive from Latin it was not surprising to hear Latin in these hearings.

One senator's question was noteworthy. Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut asked Kavanaugh if he was familiar with the Latin legal term used in common law "falsus in uno, falsus in omnibus. 

Kavanaugh dodged the question, saying "you can probably give a better translation than I can."  

Senator Blumenthal then translated the Latin “false in one thing, false in everything.”

By this time in the hearing, there were a number of apparent inconsistencies in Kavanaugh's story. And he then demonstrated an embarrassing ignorance of EASY legal Latin. 

You never know when Latin might be useful.

Do you agree with the Latin legal term?


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