Posted by mike braja (mcbraja@bu.edu) on July 05, 2001 at 12:12:28 PM MDT:
In Reply to: Re: English to Latin translation posted by Steve Phillips on September 24, 2000 at 12:00:36 AM MDT:
Illegitimi Non Carborundum
"Don't let the bastards grind you down"
According to Safire's New Political Dictionary,
this is "a pseudo-Latin phrase meaning 'don't let the
bastards grind you down'. Small signs and plaques
carrying this message have appeared in U.S.
business offices and army posts for at least a
generation, since General "Vinegar Joe" Stilwell
used it as his motto in World War II. Carborundum is
a trademark for silicon carbide, a leading commercial
grinding substance...In politics, the motto was
popularized by 1964 Republican nominee Senator
Barry Goldwater, who hung the sign in his office."
(--from Safire's New Political Dictionary, p. 353)
: Could someone help ME with THIS translation (suggested by a former law professor...):
: "Don't let the bastards grind you down"!
: Thank you!