Is there a Latin phrase that could be used like "ladies and gentlemen" when addressing a large audience but without commenting the circumstances or identities of the people involved? In special cases I can use more specific expressions (amicae amicique or cari collegae), but my vocabulary does not contain a good expression that I could use in almost any situation. Attested classical greetings are preferred but not required.
asked Aug 9, 2016 at 16:19
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1It's a shame that "Quirites" won't really do. :)– Joel DerfnerCommented Aug 9, 2016 at 16:27
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1@JoelDerfner, Quirites does "comment the circumstances" a bit too much. :o) But there are situations for that one as well...– Joonas Ilmavirta ♦Commented Aug 9, 2016 at 16:39
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2For what it's worth, I have always used either dominae dominique or feminae virique, though I can't back that up with any sources. It's just what I use.– Sam KCommented Aug 9, 2016 at 20:08
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1@SamK, I quite like dominae dominique. You can write that as an answer. I didn't demand authentic expressions, so it should be fine.– Joonas Ilmavirta ♦Commented Aug 9, 2016 at 20:31
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1 Answer
As per the comments on the question, I have two phrases that I use during this situation.
Dominae dominique
- I prefer this one because it retains the English subtext. When saying "ladies and gentlemen," we are literally calling the audience the mistresses and masters of their households, which is a connotation that this translation also has. (It also sounds cool.)
Feminae virique
- This one literally means "women and men," and could also be used, maybe for a more informal setting, but even then (in English at least) we still use "ladies and gentlemen."
Please note that these are my personal creations, and not (to my knowledge) idiomatic Latin.
