AD LIB
- PostEagle
- August 11, 2015
- Word Etymology
- 0 Comments
LATIN IN OUR DAILY LIVES
The expression AD LIB – means to do or say something that is not in the script; usually a performer on stage may add something funny to pre-ordained dialogue. AD LIB comes from the Latin AD LIBITUM, which means AT PLEASURE. Therefore, the person is doing it at his/her pleasure.
By the way, speaking of actors, did you know that the ancient Roman and Greek actor wore a mask with a built in megaphone. The mouthpiece was hollowed and funneled so that his voice would project. He sounded through the mask. The words for sound through in Latin are PER – THROUGH and SONARE – TO SOUND. This soon became PERSONA meaning the mask the actor wore on stage. Hence we have our word PERSON. We all are actors on the world’s stage.