magistrah
@magistrah.bsky.social
Latin, history, English teacher. I like old things, animals, words and books. I will piggyback on word threads to talk about Latin - so be warned.
Or is this an alternate universe where it's Saturnalia every day? Io optime dierum!
I've just realised that the Smurfs all wear Phrygian caps – is the Smurf village intended to be an idealised Revolutionary France, with Gargamel representing the reactionary forces of the ancien régime?
January 18, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Or is this an alternate universe where it's Saturnalia every day? Io optime dierum!
Reposted by magistrah
Pretty amazing that they want us to believe they care about fraud when it has basically been Trump’s entire business model for 5 decades.
January 16, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Pretty amazing that they want us to believe they care about fraud when it has basically been Trump’s entire business model for 5 decades.
Reposted by magistrah
Scrūta is a Latin word that means 'old discarded stuff' or simply 'trash'.
From scrūta emerged the verb scrūtārī, meaning 'to search/examine thoroughly', I guess derived from the notion of searching even through rubbish.
This verb is consequently behind English's words 'scrutinise' and 'scrutiny'.
From scrūta emerged the verb scrūtārī, meaning 'to search/examine thoroughly', I guess derived from the notion of searching even through rubbish.
This verb is consequently behind English's words 'scrutinise' and 'scrutiny'.
January 14, 2026 at 4:31 PM
Scrūta is a Latin word that means 'old discarded stuff' or simply 'trash'.
From scrūta emerged the verb scrūtārī, meaning 'to search/examine thoroughly', I guess derived from the notion of searching even through rubbish.
This verb is consequently behind English's words 'scrutinise' and 'scrutiny'.
From scrūta emerged the verb scrūtārī, meaning 'to search/examine thoroughly', I guess derived from the notion of searching even through rubbish.
This verb is consequently behind English's words 'scrutinise' and 'scrutiny'.
Reposted by magistrah
Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto
January 12, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Homo sum, humani nihil a me alienum puto
As someone who needs students to reach the shade on my door for me, I concur. "though (it) be little, yet (it) is fierce" AMND
I feel so bad for Pluto....You'll always be a planet to me deep inside my heart. Drift forever free, my beloved lonely planet 💜
January 10, 2026 at 8:30 PM
As someone who needs students to reach the shade on my door for me, I concur. "though (it) be little, yet (it) is fierce" AMND
Reposted by magistrah
I don't know who needs to hear this, but cops are not allowed to shoot people just because you didn't do what they said.
That is called murder when they do that.
Some cops are working hard to convince people otherwise.
That is called murder when they do that.
Some cops are working hard to convince people otherwise.
January 8, 2026 at 5:35 AM
I don't know who needs to hear this, but cops are not allowed to shoot people just because you didn't do what they said.
That is called murder when they do that.
Some cops are working hard to convince people otherwise.
That is called murder when they do that.
Some cops are working hard to convince people otherwise.
Reposted by magistrah
Throughout the Middle Ages, Iberia (now Spain and Portugal) had a distinctive system of counting years, with a start date of 38 BC.
The period after 38 BC was known the Aera Hispanica, apparently named after bronze counters – aera in Latin.
It's from this system that we seem to get the word 'era'.
The period after 38 BC was known the Aera Hispanica, apparently named after bronze counters – aera in Latin.
It's from this system that we seem to get the word 'era'.
January 6, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Throughout the Middle Ages, Iberia (now Spain and Portugal) had a distinctive system of counting years, with a start date of 38 BC.
The period after 38 BC was known the Aera Hispanica, apparently named after bronze counters – aera in Latin.
It's from this system that we seem to get the word 'era'.
The period after 38 BC was known the Aera Hispanica, apparently named after bronze counters – aera in Latin.
It's from this system that we seem to get the word 'era'.
Reposted by magistrah
“If a white cat is seen in a man’s house, hardship will afflict the land.
“If a black cat is seen in a man’s house, that land will experience good fortune.”
- Shumma Ālu, which is a collection of omens recorded on clay tablets from ancient Mesopotamia
“If a black cat is seen in a man’s house, that land will experience good fortune.”
- Shumma Ālu, which is a collection of omens recorded on clay tablets from ancient Mesopotamia
Lucky black cat for you all! Take your risks today! *crosses road like a maniac*
Ancient Animal Advent Day 14 🐈⬛
Ancient Animal Advent Day 14 🐈⬛
December 14, 2025 at 9:46 AM
“If a white cat is seen in a man’s house, hardship will afflict the land.
“If a black cat is seen in a man’s house, that land will experience good fortune.”
- Shumma Ālu, which is a collection of omens recorded on clay tablets from ancient Mesopotamia
“If a black cat is seen in a man’s house, that land will experience good fortune.”
- Shumma Ālu, which is a collection of omens recorded on clay tablets from ancient Mesopotamia
Reposted by magistrah
Hairy cats are the likely derivation of the English word 'caterpillar' – coming from Old Norman *catepelose, itself from Latin catta 'cat' and pilōsa 'hairy'.
Meanwhile, it was little dogs that were the inspiration for the Modern French equivalent word for the bug (chenille).
Meanwhile, it was little dogs that were the inspiration for the Modern French equivalent word for the bug (chenille).
December 2, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Hairy cats are the likely derivation of the English word 'caterpillar' – coming from Old Norman *catepelose, itself from Latin catta 'cat' and pilōsa 'hairy'.
Meanwhile, it was little dogs that were the inspiration for the Modern French equivalent word for the bug (chenille).
Meanwhile, it was little dogs that were the inspiration for the Modern French equivalent word for the bug (chenille).
Reposted by magistrah
In ancient Mesopotamia, astronomers needed to know the moon’s position, even on a cloudy night.
So they made records and calculations of the moon’s positions and velocity measured in degrees. This record from Uruk or Babylon from the Seleucid period covers 248 days.
📸 by Dr K. Wagensonner
So they made records and calculations of the moon’s positions and velocity measured in degrees. This record from Uruk or Babylon from the Seleucid period covers 248 days.
📸 by Dr K. Wagensonner
December 2, 2025 at 10:20 AM
In ancient Mesopotamia, astronomers needed to know the moon’s position, even on a cloudy night.
So they made records and calculations of the moon’s positions and velocity measured in degrees. This record from Uruk or Babylon from the Seleucid period covers 248 days.
📸 by Dr K. Wagensonner
So they made records and calculations of the moon’s positions and velocity measured in degrees. This record from Uruk or Babylon from the Seleucid period covers 248 days.
📸 by Dr K. Wagensonner
Reposted by magistrah
Sat down between prep (turkey in the oven; soon to do the mashed potatoes), and the 11yo comes into the living room:
Her: “20 more minutes until noon”
8yo: “what’s at noon?”
11yo: “Alice’s Restaurant, duhhhh”
Her: “20 more minutes until noon”
8yo: “what’s at noon?”
11yo: “Alice’s Restaurant, duhhhh”
November 27, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Sat down between prep (turkey in the oven; soon to do the mashed potatoes), and the 11yo comes into the living room:
Her: “20 more minutes until noon”
8yo: “what’s at noon?”
11yo: “Alice’s Restaurant, duhhhh”
Her: “20 more minutes until noon”
8yo: “what’s at noon?”
11yo: “Alice’s Restaurant, duhhhh”
Reposted by magistrah
How we start today in our home. Happy Thanksgiving!
#Music #MusicSky #Vinyl #VinylSky #VinylCommunity #VinylCollectors #VinylRecords #NowPlaying #NowSpinning
#Music #MusicSky #Vinyl #VinylSky #VinylCommunity #VinylCollectors #VinylRecords #NowPlaying #NowSpinning
November 27, 2025 at 3:38 PM
How we start today in our home. Happy Thanksgiving!
#Music #MusicSky #Vinyl #VinylSky #VinylCommunity #VinylCollectors #VinylRecords #NowPlaying #NowSpinning
#Music #MusicSky #Vinyl #VinylSky #VinylCommunity #VinylCollectors #VinylRecords #NowPlaying #NowSpinning
Reposted by magistrah
I’m just a naïve professor of politics, but it seems to me that it wouldn’t be *that* hard to mandate that every data center project add sufficient renewable capacity to zero out its impact on the grid.
… and when the bubble bursts we’d at least be left with *some* kind of economic & social good.
… and when the bubble bursts we’d at least be left with *some* kind of economic & social good.
November 27, 2025 at 4:08 PM
I’m just a naïve professor of politics, but it seems to me that it wouldn’t be *that* hard to mandate that every data center project add sufficient renewable capacity to zero out its impact on the grid.
… and when the bubble bursts we’d at least be left with *some* kind of economic & social good.
… and when the bubble bursts we’d at least be left with *some* kind of economic & social good.
All good doggos- every one
Our ancient love of dogs is really reassuring
For anyone wondering, some possible dog names have survived from cuneiform sources.
On tiny dog figurines found buried under a palace in Nineveh, Iraq are inscriptions that seem to be names.
dan rigiššu “loud is his bark”
munaššiku gārîšu “biter of his foe”
mušēṣi lemnūti “expeller of evil”
On tiny dog figurines found buried under a palace in Nineveh, Iraq are inscriptions that seem to be names.
dan rigiššu “loud is his bark”
munaššiku gārîšu “biter of his foe”
mušēṣi lemnūti “expeller of evil”
November 19, 2025 at 4:03 PM
All good doggos- every one
Reposted by magistrah
That Latin word consobrīnus there (perhaps literally 'with-sister's-son' or 'with-mother's-sister's-son') is the ancestor of English's word 'cousin', only put through the linguistic meat grinder of early medieval France.
"cantiori hic iacit venedotis cive fuit [c]onsobrino ma[g]li magistrati"
('Cantiori here lies, of Gwynedd a citizen he was, a cousin of Maglus the magistrate')
Still fascinated by the 6th-cent. Cantiorix Inscription, from sub-Roman north Wales, bearing the first mention of the Kingdom of Gwynedd.
('Cantiori here lies, of Gwynedd a citizen he was, a cousin of Maglus the magistrate')
Still fascinated by the 6th-cent. Cantiorix Inscription, from sub-Roman north Wales, bearing the first mention of the Kingdom of Gwynedd.
November 19, 2025 at 9:39 AM
That Latin word consobrīnus there (perhaps literally 'with-sister's-son' or 'with-mother's-sister's-son') is the ancestor of English's word 'cousin', only put through the linguistic meat grinder of early medieval France.
bread for the billionaires. I guess the Epstein ballroom is the circuses part
Bingo. Corporate welfare is the real welfare you should be talking about.
November 16, 2025 at 7:55 PM
bread for the billionaires. I guess the Epstein ballroom is the circuses part
Reposted by magistrah
Bellum, Latin for 'war', is the origin of martial English words like 'belligerent', 'bellicose' and 'rebel'.
Bellum was a later form of the word. It had previously been duellum, before a 'DU > B' sound change, and Latin writers remembered and continued to use the old form too. This gave us 'duel'.
Bellum was a later form of the word. It had previously been duellum, before a 'DU > B' sound change, and Latin writers remembered and continued to use the old form too. This gave us 'duel'.
November 14, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Bellum, Latin for 'war', is the origin of martial English words like 'belligerent', 'bellicose' and 'rebel'.
Bellum was a later form of the word. It had previously been duellum, before a 'DU > B' sound change, and Latin writers remembered and continued to use the old form too. This gave us 'duel'.
Bellum was a later form of the word. It had previously been duellum, before a 'DU > B' sound change, and Latin writers remembered and continued to use the old form too. This gave us 'duel'.
What did you think we meant by the phrase "dead language?"
Remember today that some ghosts may just be trying to speak to you in Latin.
October 31, 2025 at 6:47 PM
What did you think we meant by the phrase "dead language?"
Another reason to love Canada. Baltimore says "Thank you!"
Blue Jays eliminate Yankees, advance to ALCS for 1st time since 2016
Toronto tops New York 5-2 and heads to the American League Championship Series
🍁🙌🏼 #BlueJays
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Toronto tops New York 5-2 and heads to the American League Championship Series
🍁🙌🏼 #BlueJays
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Blue Jays eliminate Yankees, advance to ALCS for 1st time since 2016 | CBC Sports
The Blue Jays advanced to the American League Championship Series on Wednesday night after defeating the New York Yankees 5-2 in the Bronx. Toronto's first playoff series victory since 2016 came court...
www.cbc.ca
October 9, 2025 at 10:35 AM
Another reason to love Canada. Baltimore says "Thank you!"
Reposted by magistrah
A propos of nothing, a Terry Pratchett quote.
‘You take a bunch of people who don’t seem any different from you and me, but when you add them all together, you get this sort of huge raving maniac with national borders and an anthem.’
From Monstrous Regiment
‘You take a bunch of people who don’t seem any different from you and me, but when you add them all together, you get this sort of huge raving maniac with national borders and an anthem.’
From Monstrous Regiment
September 23, 2025 at 2:27 PM
A propos of nothing, a Terry Pratchett quote.
‘You take a bunch of people who don’t seem any different from you and me, but when you add them all together, you get this sort of huge raving maniac with national borders and an anthem.’
From Monstrous Regiment
‘You take a bunch of people who don’t seem any different from you and me, but when you add them all together, you get this sort of huge raving maniac with national borders and an anthem.’
From Monstrous Regiment
Reposted by magistrah
It's World Letter Writing Day!
What is the famous saying of the postal service of Ankh-Morpork and what should you never ask them about?
#DWCon2026 #DWCon #WorldLetterWritingDay #GoingPostal
What is the famous saying of the postal service of Ankh-Morpork and what should you never ask them about?
#DWCon2026 #DWCon #WorldLetterWritingDay #GoingPostal
September 1, 2025 at 9:03 AM
It's World Letter Writing Day!
What is the famous saying of the postal service of Ankh-Morpork and what should you never ask them about?
#DWCon2026 #DWCon #WorldLetterWritingDay #GoingPostal
What is the famous saying of the postal service of Ankh-Morpork and what should you never ask them about?
#DWCon2026 #DWCon #WorldLetterWritingDay #GoingPostal
Reposted by magistrah
"The Cat Read the Emails First" (2025)
acrylic painting
By Ukrainian artist Nataliya Bagatskaya - n.bagatska [IG]
#art #painting #illustration #caturday
acrylic painting
By Ukrainian artist Nataliya Bagatskaya - n.bagatska [IG]
#art #painting #illustration #caturday
August 30, 2025 at 10:36 AM
"The Cat Read the Emails First" (2025)
acrylic painting
By Ukrainian artist Nataliya Bagatskaya - n.bagatska [IG]
#art #painting #illustration #caturday
acrylic painting
By Ukrainian artist Nataliya Bagatskaya - n.bagatska [IG]
#art #painting #illustration #caturday
Reposted by magistrah
We’re going to go on a rant for a minute, and yes we’re bringing some history with us. Back in 1755, Benjamin Franklin wrote words that still echo today: “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”
August 28, 2025 at 1:51 AM
We’re going to go on a rant for a minute, and yes we’re bringing some history with us. Back in 1755, Benjamin Franklin wrote words that still echo today: “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”
Reposted by magistrah
Somebody somewhere
Needs a bison calf in a field of flowers
Tonight
Needs a bison calf in a field of flowers
Tonight
August 27, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Somebody somewhere
Needs a bison calf in a field of flowers
Tonight
Needs a bison calf in a field of flowers
Tonight
Reposted by magistrah
The Latin noun speciēs had a great many meanings for the Romans: 'sight', 'look', 'appearance' and also 'type'. It's from the final sense that the biological term 'species' developed.
In Late Latin, speciēs also came to mean 'good, wares'. It's from this use that we get the culinary word 'spice'.
In Late Latin, speciēs also came to mean 'good, wares'. It's from this use that we get the culinary word 'spice'.
August 26, 2025 at 10:15 AM
The Latin noun speciēs had a great many meanings for the Romans: 'sight', 'look', 'appearance' and also 'type'. It's from the final sense that the biological term 'species' developed.
In Late Latin, speciēs also came to mean 'good, wares'. It's from this use that we get the culinary word 'spice'.
In Late Latin, speciēs also came to mean 'good, wares'. It's from this use that we get the culinary word 'spice'.