# Cougarfng, what are you saying? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 16, 2001, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougarfng-what-are-you-saying/87838 "2001-10-16T22:47:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 10:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougarfng-what-are-you-saying/87838/1 "2001-10-16T22:47:22Z")
Ok, so I’m checking out the boards and stuff when I see someone’s sig line which reads: > [@](#): > > Cave felis! > Indicit **Scylla** qui vult vitare **Crunchy Frog**. > Difficile est saturam non scribere… I noticed three things about this sig right off the bat: 1. My name was in it (cuz I’m an egotist) 2. **Scylla** was in it (cuz I have outstanding observational skills) 3. It wasn’t written in English (cuz at times I have my moments of brilliant insight) This led me to wonder what the hell was being said about **Scylla** and myself. I know just enough Spanish to recognize that phrase is not in Spanish, so I headed to online translators to see what I could come up with. French to English gave me this result: > [@](#): > > Cellar felis! Indicit **Scylla** who vult vitare **Crunchy Frog**. Difficult scribere is saturam not… Not quite there, but some words have translated. It looks like **Scylla** is "vult"ing me in the cellar (whatever that means). I’m not sure about the direction this is going. I tried Spanish anyway, since it’s been a while since I spoke the language and the results were: > [@](#): > > It(He,She) digs felis! Indicit Scylla qui vult vitare Crunchy Frog. Difficile est saturam odd number scribere… It appears now that someone or thing digs “felis” which seems close to the English word “fellas” to me. And there’s an odd number of something invloved. I think we’ve gotten out of the cellar, though **Scylla** still appears to be "vult"ing the hell out of me. Portuguese said pretty much the same thing except with the added bonus of something being saturated. I had somewhat better luck with Italian, but it’s still incoherent as you can see: > [@](#): > > Hollow felis! Indicit Scylla vult to vitare Crunchy Frog here. Difficult east saturam not to scribere… So the word hollow may be putting us back in the cave, where **Scylla** continues to “vult” my brains out here. It seems to be a bit difficult. German or Russian to English didn’t change anything. Time to try Latin, except I couldn’t find a Latin to English translator. So what gives, **Cougarfang**? What do you have **Scylla** and me doing in a cave? ---
**Author:** ![gallows\_fodder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/8c91f0/32.png) [@gallows\_fodder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gallows_fodder)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 10:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougarfng-what-are-you-saying/87838/2 "2001-10-16T22:59:36Z")
Well, _scrivere_ in Italian means _to write_, so maybe that last part means _it’s difficult not to write satire_…or it’s difficult not to make fun of you guys…or something… ---
**Author:** ![toshirodragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e68b1a/32.png) [@toshirodragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toshirodragon)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougarfng-what-are-you-saying/87838/3 "2001-10-16T23:00:13Z")
OHHHHH!!! I fell over laughing! Can women “vult” or is this one of those guy things? ---
**Author:** ![Zyada](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zyada/32/3028_2.png) [@Zyada](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zyada)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougarfng-what-are-you-saying/87838/4 "2001-10-16T23:01:44Z")
It is Latin - I took it in HS and remember enough to recognize it. Just not enough to translate. A neat trick with Latin - if you’re bored or don’t have a quick Latin translator handy, you can use the dictionary to get the sense of passage. Look up english words that sound right and check the etymology - usually the original latin root will be right there. One of my Latin teachers allowed us to use the dictionary during tests. [sarcasm]Yeah, that class was a challenge.[/sarcasm] ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougarfng-what-are-you-saying/87838/5 "2001-10-16T23:27:21Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by toshirodragon \* > \*\*Can women “vult” or is this one of those guy things? \*\* I’ll let you know as soon as I figure out what vulting is. And **Scylla** , if you are vulting me, please be gentle. I think it’s my first time. ---
**Author:** ![Rasa](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rasa/32/3578_2.png) [@Rasa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rasa)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 11:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougarfng-what-are-you-saying/87838/6 "2001-10-16T23:34:11Z")
I don’t think I’ve ever taken a single thing **Cougarfang** has said seriously, for the simple reason that **every** post I’ve seen by him/her has had a “_d&r_” at the end. Paging **Maeglin** … Mr. Classics Edjimication to Aisle Three… ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougarfng-what-are-you-saying/87838/7 "2001-10-16T23:36:28Z")
Ok, having tried a one word at a time Latin-English dictionary, I get: > [@](#): > > Beware happy! > Indecent **Scylla** who vults vitare **Crunchy Frog**. > It’s difficult to saturate without a pen… I don’t think this thing is very accurate. And **Scylla** is vulting me again! Why can’t I vult **Scylla** for a change? Why do I always have to be the recipient of the vults? Not even Babel Fish could figure this word out. ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougarfng-what-are-you-saying/87838/8 "2001-10-16T23:44:40Z")
Latin English dictionary to the rescue (Man, I hope I don’t get simulposted). > [@](#): > > Cave felis! > Indicit Scylla qui vult vitare Crunchy Frog. > Difficile est saturam non scribere… translates directly to > [@](#): > > Pit seducer! > Appoint Scylla who will shun Crunchy Frog. > Difficult is satisfy not write… I tried, ok? Plus it reads so **well** … ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougarfng-what-are-you-saying/87838/9 "2001-10-16T23:45:42Z")
> [@](#): > > Cave felis! > Indicit Scylla qui vult vitare Crunchy Frog. > Difficile est saturam non scribere… Sorry, **Crunchy** , but you actually have to know Latin to be able to use a dictionary. 😃 The syntax is a little ambiguous, actually. **Crunchy** , your name could either be a nominative or an indeclinable accusative. Perhaps **Cougarfang** can clarify. > [@](#): > > Beware of the cat! > Scylla pointed out whom Crunchy Frog wants to escape (or who wants to escape Crunchy Frog). > It is difficult not to write enough. No offense to **Cougarfang** , but it’s inelegant and unidiomatic Latin. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougarfng-what-are-you-saying/87838/10 "2001-10-16T23:47:20Z")
vult is the third person, present active indicative of the verb _volo_, to desire. ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougarfng-what-are-you-saying/87838/11 "2001-10-16T23:48:25Z")
I do not like **LaurAnge’s** definition, therefore I will ignore it and pretend it never happened in the same manner in which I handle 43% of the situations in my life. ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougarfng-what-are-you-saying/87838/12 "2001-10-16T23:53:06Z")
Surely if **Cougarfang** knew enough Latin to compose this piece he would have rendered **Scylla** in the accusative, **Scyllam** , if he wanted to represent what **LaurAnge** said. Or maybe not. ---
**Author:** ![toshirodragon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e68b1a/32.png) [@toshirodragon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toshirodragon)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougarfng-what-are-you-saying/87838/13 "2001-10-16T23:53:26Z")
I think I should change my name to Vult Virgin:D ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougarfng-what-are-you-saying/87838/14 "2001-10-16T23:53:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Maeglin \* > \*\ ***Crunchy** , your name could either be a nominative or an indeclinable accusative. \*\* _fizzle-fizzle_ _smolder_ _crackle_ _ **BOOM** _ **fwoosh** **Maeglin** : Huh? What was that sound? **LaurAnge** : That was **Crunchy Frog’s** brain spontaneously combusting. **Maeglin** : Oh. ---
**Author:** ![Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Helen\_s\_Eidolon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helen_s_Eidolon)\ **Post date:** [October 16, 2001, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougarfng-what-are-you-saying/87838/15 "2001-10-16T23:56:38Z")
But my version is just so much more **interesting**. I swear to you all now that I didn’t pull it all out of my ass, like it seems now that someone who actually knows what they’re talking about is here. Sorry, **Crunchy**. Didn’t mean ta hurt ya. ---
**Author:** ![Crunchy\_Frog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ebca7d/32.png) [@Crunchy\_Frog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crunchy_Frog)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2001, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougarfng-what-are-you-saying/87838/16 "2001-10-17T00:22:33Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by LaurAnge \* > \*\*Sorry, **Crunchy**. Didn’t mean ta hurt ya. \*\* Not you. **Maeglin** used big fancy words that hurt my brain. **Crunchy** like small words. Small words good. ---
**Author:** ![saepiroth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5ac83/32.png) [@saepiroth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saepiroth)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2001, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougarfng-what-are-you-saying/87838/17 "2001-10-17T00:37:07Z")
well, i’m taking 2’nd year latin, but i’m stoopid. uh, isn’t vitare the gerund of vito, vitare? as in, “living”? hmm… this is beginning to shape up funny… ---
**Author:** ![Tequila\_Mockingbird](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/41988e/32.png) [@Tequila\_Mockingbird](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tequila_Mockingbird)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2001, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougarfng-what-are-you-saying/87838/18 "2001-10-17T02:45:50Z")
Hey, Crunchy, as sexy as that lil blond streak is on you, I beleive the bleach has seeped through your skull. Keep it and you’ll have an excuse (trust me on this one, babe). ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2001, 3:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougarfng-what-are-you-saying/87838/19 "2001-10-17T03:13:43Z")
> [@](#): > > uh, isn’t vitare the gerund of vito, vitare? Negative. Vito does not mean “to live”. That would be vivo, vivere. Vitare is the present active indicative of the verb vito, “to avoid, shun.” ---
**Author:** ![Maeglin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/8baadc/32.png) [@Maeglin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maeglin)\ **Post date:** [October 17, 2001, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougarfng-what-are-you-saying/87838/20 "2001-10-17T03:16:22Z")
Er, the present active **infinitive**. Complementary infinitive with vult. You don’t tack a gerung onto a modal verb. You should know that, **saepiroth**. 😉 [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/cougarfng-what-are-you-saying/87838.md?page=2)