Quid Pro Quo

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Did you know that in Italian, a quid pro quo is an error? Of course, in English, it means an exchange or a deal of some sort.

How could this happen? Well, the phrase itself in Latin means "this for that." In English, it came to mean giving a this for a that, while in Italian it evolved into mistaking a this for a that.

Just thought you wanted to know.

Comments

  1. Anonymous5:51 PM

    Thanks, I am often a collector of almost completely useless knowledge. Due to how my brain works (in its gathering and filing of knowledge) I will probably remember this insight till my dying day.

    I only wish that I could say that I am joking.

    ReplyDelete

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