This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. Latin to English

novus ordo seclorum

English translation: New World Order

16:43 Aug 19, 2000
Latin to English translations [Non-PRO]
Latin term or phrase: novus ordo seclorum
this is on the dollar bill and I would like to know what it means
heather
English translation:New World Order
Explanation:
Here's some more info:
"Below it is the Latin inscription Novus Ordo Seculorum, which translates as "New World Order." Or does it? What we have here is a compound error made up of bad Latin, bad spelling, and poor history. Those readers who, like myself, took some Latin in high school, might remember that the suffix "orum" is the genitive plural for nouns in the second declension. Seculorum would have to be plural and mean "of the worlds," which seems a rather clumsy phrasing. It certainly would be if in fact the word in question was "seculorum." Actually, in their desire to read an apocalyptic conspiracy into our currency, the millenarian crowd has added the letter "u" between the "c" and the "l" of the word printed on the dollar, which is seclorum or "of the ages." Thus, far from saying "New World Order," Novus Ordo Seclorum reads "New Order of the Ages." Since this symbol and motto are on the back of our country's Great Seal and were put there when the nation was being founded, they represent the revolutionary sentiment that by dispensing with kings, whose rule was autocratic and based on force, and replacing that system with a republic based on reason, balance of powers, and self rule, the founders of our nation were creating a new order for the ages."
Selected response from:

Laura Gentili
Italy
Local time: 07:17
Grading comment
I definitely appreciate the fact that you took your time to answer my question.
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
naNew World Order
Laura Gentili
naNew Order of the Ages
Branka Arrivé


  

Answers


6 hrs
New World Order


Explanation:
Here's some more info:
"Below it is the Latin inscription Novus Ordo Seculorum, which translates as "New World Order." Or does it? What we have here is a compound error made up of bad Latin, bad spelling, and poor history. Those readers who, like myself, took some Latin in high school, might remember that the suffix "orum" is the genitive plural for nouns in the second declension. Seculorum would have to be plural and mean "of the worlds," which seems a rather clumsy phrasing. It certainly would be if in fact the word in question was "seculorum." Actually, in their desire to read an apocalyptic conspiracy into our currency, the millenarian crowd has added the letter "u" between the "c" and the "l" of the word printed on the dollar, which is seclorum or "of the ages." Thus, far from saying "New World Order," Novus Ordo Seclorum reads "New Order of the Ages." Since this symbol and motto are on the back of our country's Great Seal and were put there when the nation was being founded, they represent the revolutionary sentiment that by dispensing with kings, whose rule was autocratic and based on force, and replacing that system with a republic based on reason, balance of powers, and self rule, the founders of our nation were creating a new order for the ages."


Laura Gentili
Italy
Local time: 07:17
Native speaker of: Native in ItalianItalian
PRO pts in pair: 95
Grading comment
I definitely appreciate the fact that you took your time to answer my question.
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

13 hrs
New Order of the Ages


Explanation:
The phrase comes from Vergil's Eclogue 4, line 5: "Magnus ab integro seclorum nascitur ordo". (see URL 1)
S(a)eculum and s(a)eclum are the same word (see URL 2).



    Reference: http://www.greatseal.com/symbols/seclorum.html
    Reference: http://www.perseus.tufts.edu/cgi-bin/lexindex?lookup=saeculu...
Branka Arrivé
Local time: 07:17
PRO pts in pair: 12
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search