# I need some help with Latin language **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [April 6, 2008, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-help-with-latin-language/444133 "2008-04-06T00:01:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-help-with-latin-language/444133/1 "2008-04-06T00:01:35Z")
My husband is working on a motto and logo for an organization he’s with and has come up with the motto “Predators of the predatory.” Of course, we both think it would probably sound even better in Latin. Unfortunately, neither of us has any expertise in Latin. Can a Doper or several help us out? ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 12:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-help-with-latin-language/444133/2 "2008-04-06T00:08:12Z")
I don’t think there’s a direct Latin analogue of “predator”. The closest thing I can think of is _venator_ (hunter). ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-help-with-latin-language/444133/3 "2008-04-06T00:11:51Z")
_Praedatores praedatorum_ ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2008, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-help-with-latin-language/444133/4 "2008-04-06T00:18:54Z")
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright] I don’t think there’s a direct Latin analogue of “predator”. The closest thing I can think of is _venator_ (hunter). [/QUOTE] The Latin _pradator_ means “plunderer, robber, pillager.” Figuratively it means “hunter.” Obviously, it’s the root of the English word “predator.” ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 11:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-help-with-latin-language/444133/5 "2008-04-07T23:21:43Z")
Thanks,\*\* Diogenes\*\*! It looks really great. And, as a bonus, I can use that pretentious ligature ae in it, right? * * * Prædatores prædatorum !\*\*\* ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-help-with-latin-language/444133/6 "2008-04-07T23:27:07Z")
How about: _Quis Prædatoriet prædatores? Stonecutterum!_ ETA: “Stonecutterum” is Latin for “We do.” Or it _should_ be. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2008, 11:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-help-with-latin-language/444133/7 "2008-04-07T23:47:42Z")
[QUOTE=kaylasdad99] How about: _Quis Prædatoriet prædatores? Stonecutterum!_ ETA: “Stonecutterum” is Latin for “We do.” Or it _should_ be. 😉 [/QUOTE] Would this translate as “Who predates the predatory (or predators)?” ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-help-with-latin-language/444133/8 "2008-04-08T06:49:49Z")
Pretty much. I’m intending it to mean “Who preys upon the predators? We do!” You won’t get that last bit unless you’re a Simpson’s fan. [Here’s their theme song.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdaRuTwWl9I&feature=related) ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [April 8, 2008, 8:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-help-with-latin-language/444133/9 "2008-04-08T08:36:29Z")
Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur. Or, for when you decide to get serious: Oderint dum metuant. ---
**Author:** ![Cub\_Mistress](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea666f/32.png) [@Cub\_Mistress](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cub_Mistress)\ **Post date:** [April 9, 2008, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-help-with-latin-language/444133/10 "2008-04-09T00:50:45Z")
[QUOTE=Derleth] Quidquid latine dictum sit, altum viditur. [/QUOTE] Clever, very clever. [QUOTE=Derleth] Or, for when you decide to get serious: Oderint dum metuant. [/QUOTE] I actually like this one, but the huggy-touchy-feely admins won’t like that it is supposed to be a Caligula quote. So far, we have two to consider. Anyone else have a suggestion? Ooops, I forgot to say thanks for your help. Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [April 10, 2008, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-need-some-help-with-latin-language/444133/11 "2008-04-10T19:28:43Z")
Here’s something that’s almost, but not quite, entirely unlike Latin: “Fabricati Diem, Punc” I think it fits, mainly if you say it to the unlucky predators.