Showing posts with label What it means to be British. Show all posts
Showing posts with label What it means to be British. Show all posts

Saturday, January 26, 2008

“Nemo me impune lacessit”

What it means to be British

from the Latin as “Do not sit on a thistle.” (Actually, it means “no one attacks me with impunity.”)
Pronunciation:

\im-ˈpyü-nə-tē\
Function:
noun
Etymology:
Middle French or Latin; Middle French impunité, from Latin impunitat-, impunitas, from impune without punishment, from in- + poena punishment — more at pain
Date:1532
: exemption or freedom from punishment, harm, or loss
from Merriam Webster's