Another great thing about reading is that it increases your vocabulary (“Elementary,” said he). What I like to do when I read (which could contribute to how slow I am at it) is take notes and write down cool quotes and words I don’t know so I can look them up later. For example, C.S Lewis uses a lot of Latin phrases that I can only hope were common in his day because I sure haven’t heard of them.

So here’s some words and phrases that I learned (I looked them up on Google and Wikipedia), and maybe you’ll learn something new too!

Foetid -having a foul odor

Mendacity -the tendency to be untruthful

Absit omen – ‘may there be no evil omen’; may no harm result

Turnip ghost – similar to a jack o’lantern, but with a turnip instead of a pumpkin

Non nobis – A short Latin hymn used as a prayer of thanksgiving and expression of humility.

Non nobis, Domine, Domine, non nobis, Domine
Sed nomini, sed nomini, tuo da gloriam.

Not to us, O Lord, not to us,
But to your Name give glory.

Argumentum a fortiori literally means one of the following:

• “from the stronger”
• “even more so”
• “with even stronger reason”

It denotes a proof of a claim by means of an already proved stronger claim. For example, if it is forbidden to ride a bike with an extra passenger, then it is also forbidden to ride a bike with two extra passengers. Or, if one can lift a 100 lb object, then it follows that one can lift a 50 lb object. (source: wikipedia)

Ascetism – Asceticism describes a life characterized by abstinence from worldly pleasures (austerity).

Terra incognita – unknown land

Ululation – a long, wavering, high-pitched sound resembling the howl of a dog or wolf. It is an onomatopoetic word derived from Latin.

Chapiter – the upper part of a column that supports the entablature

Sacrosanctity -1)The quality of being holy or sacred; 2) The quality or condition of being safe from assault, trespass, or violation

Syllogism – An ancient form of a logical argument, first put forward by Aristotle. A syllogism typically consists of three sentences; two premises, one conclusion. If the premises were true, the conclusion must be true. For example: all left-handed people are smokers. Ann is left-handed. Ann must be a smoker.

Treacle – 1) A dark viscous sugar syrup; 2) an expression that is excessively sweet and sentimental