From Ursus Nomine Paddington to ‘Deskibus collapsibus’ – readers respond to a letter on learning the language
Our venerable Latin teacher, Mr EA Burnham, was persuaded to help us translate contemporary phrases (Letters, 1 November): the Humphrey-Bogart-style “Dic mel da mihi intermissionem” for “Say, honey, give me a break!”; or “Quis est umbo huius articulum” (“Who’s the boss of this joint?”); or for musical tastes “Fodio saxum volumenque” (“I dig rock’n’roll”). Sorry if the cases are erroneous – but it was more than 60 years ago. Richard Bullock Scarrington, Nottinghamshire
Brenda Grant’s letter on the Sound of Music in Latin reminded me of my own experience in the 1960s. We had a Latin mistress called Miss Mills. We gals thought we were terribly amusing by coming up with: “Millibus satibus on the deskalorum / Deskibus collapsibus / Milli on the floorum.”
Miss Mills wrote in my report: “Helen has neither the ability nor the inclination to deal with this subject.” I didn’t, but revenge is sweet. Helen Christie Barrowford, Lancashire
Never mind Latin. In the mid-1960s a classmate and I practised our German by translating pop songs of the day. One that sticks in my mind is Wir alle leben in einem gelben unterwasserboot. Ian Watson Glasgow
As well as Winnie Ille Pu (Letters, 29 October), I have copies of Ursus Nomine Paddington and Fabula de Petro Cuniculo. Those keen on football as well as Latin might like to view online Tres Leones, a Latin version of Three Lions. Elizabeth Manning Malvern, Worcestershire
