4

I've seen the phrase Solvitas perambulum translated in many places as "Solve it while you walk." But I don't understand the grammar, and I find myself doubting that it's really Latin.

Here are my thoughts so far. Solvitas sounds like an abstract noun, meaning something like "being-solved-ness". But this noun doesn't seem to exist, and I think that a verb is needed, anyway. If solvitas is a verb, then it sounds like its infinitive would be solvitare, but there is no such verb. Maybe it would be a frequentative of solvere, but I haven't found that. Perambulum seems to mean not the act of walking (and then it would need to be in the ablative case), but a walkway or alley.

Is Solvitas perambulum fake Latin—or, if it's real, how does the grammar work? If there is a real Latin expression for this notion of relenting from effortful exertion on solving a problem and taking a leisurely walk to let your subconscious work on it, I'd love to hear it.

2 Answers 2

14

This seems to be a distortion of the phrase solvitur ambulando "it is solved by walking". As fdb says, neither word is correct Latin.

1
  • Good point.....
    – fdb
    May 26 at 20:32
10

This is fake Latin, but formed from two genuine words: solvo means “to release, set free, solve” and perambulo means “to walk through”; but neither “solvitas” nor “perambulum” means anything in Latin. It is internet nonsense.

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.