Carpé This

A few observations.

Observation one: I fly fish for trout. In doing so, I have noticed more and more fisherman (mostly novices) using the Latin names for the insects upon which the trout are feeding. Instead of saying “They’re feeding on little yellow bugs,” they will utter, “Looks like a #16 Ephemerella dorothea.” Now since fly fisherpeople tend to be somewhat purist and elitist, I have come to expect a certain level of snobbery. But this one is making my waders chafe.

Observation two: I am a pastor. I have noticed more and more pastors (mostly novices) using the Latin names for the Sundays of the church year. Instead of saying “Today is the second Sunday of Easter,” they will pontificate “This is Quasimodo Geniti.” I still remember a good bit of Latin. But I remember more literature. And I remember Quasimodo. He was a hunchback. I don’t care to think about his geniti.

Observation three: Most trout in Minnesota streams, like most Lutherans in Minnesota pews, don’t speak Latin.

Reputo super is.