e.g.
So, I was pondering “e.g.” today. I know, of course, that the translation of this Latin abbreviation is ‘for example’ but I was wondering if ‘e’ is for ‘exempli’ what is the ‘g’ for?
Guess.
Just guess.
Yeah. It’s GRATIA. Seriously.
So then I had to look at ‘gratia’ again. Google translator tells me it means ‘of.’ My mind is beginning to boggle. So here is what Google says the Latin word ‘gratia’ is all about. It’s absolutely ubiquitous! It’s a very all-purpose, wonderful word. It’s a noun with 25 interpretations. It’s a conjunction . It’s 3 prepostions. ( “of” is a preposition. Notice that it’s not on the list).
Exempli, on the other hand, is very specific. One meaning. Just ‘example.’
Now.
Go through the list below of interpretations of ‘gratia’ and put ‘example of’ in front of each one. Suddenly those two little letters become rather profound.
Words are fascinating.
| noun | |
| GRACE | GRATIA, LEPOS, LEPOR, VENUS, VENUSTAS, DECOR |
| FAVOR | |
| PLEASINGNESS | GRATIA, LEPOR, LEPOS, LIBITA |
| PLEASANTNESS | AMOENITAS, JUCUNDITAS, IUCUNDITAS, GRATIA, DULCITUDO, DULCEDO |
| FAVOUR | |
| CHARM | DELICIAE, GRATIA, VENUSTAS, VENUS, IUCUNDITAS, JUCUNDITAS |
| LIKING | GRATIA, APPROBATIO, FAVOR, LIBIDO, LUBIDO |
| GOODWILL | GRATIA, ADFECTIO, AFFECTIO, AFFECTUS, AEQUANIMITAS, ADFECTUS |
| ESTEEM | HONOR, HONOS, CARITAS, DIGNATIO, DIGNITAS, GRATIA |
| GRATITUDE | GRATIA, GRATUS ANIMUS, GRATITUDO, PIETAS |
| LOVE | AMOR, COMPLEXUS, ARDOR, CONPLEXUS, FLAMMA, GRATIA |
| APPROVAL | APPROBATIO, COMPROBATIO, CONPROBATIO, PROBATIO, CONCORDIA, GRATIA |
| SUPPORT | SUBSIDIUM, CONATUM, AUXILIUM, SUPPETIAE, SUBPETIAE, GRATIA |
| POPULARITY | STUDIUM POPULI, FAVOR POPULI, GRATIA |
| THANK | GRATIA |
| SERVICE | OPERA, BENEFICIUM, SERVITIUM, ADMINISTRATIO, MINISTERIUM, GRATIA |
| THANKS | GRATES, GRATIA |
| REGARD | RESPECTUS, CURA, CARITAS, HONOR, HONOS, GRATIA |
| ACKNOWLEDGMENT | AGNITIO, GRATIA, CONFESSIO |
| EARNING GRATITUDE | GRATIA |
| FASCINATION | FASCINATIO, LEPOR, LEPOS, GRATIA, MEDICATUS |
| PARTIALITY | FAVOR, GRATIA, CUPIDITAS, INIQUITAS, STUDIUM |
| AFFECTION | AFFECTUS, CONATUM, AFFECTIO, ADFECTIO, GRATIA, BENEVOLENTIA |
| FRIENDSHIP | AMICITIA, AMICITIES, SODALITAS, NECESSITAS, NECESSITUDO, GRATIA |
| AUTHORITY | AUCTORITAS, POTESTAS, POTENTIA, LICENTIA, IUS, GRATIA |
| preposition | |
| TO | IN, USQUE AD, USQUE, GRATIA, INDU, ERGA |
| IN FAVOR OF | GRATIA, PRO, PROD |
| FOR THE SAKE OF | OB, CAUSA, GRATIA, ERGO, PER |
| conjunction | |
| IN ORDER TO | GRATIA |
Shawn L. Bird 