[minstrel: Vivat the Dream]

Richard Eney dicconf at Radix.Net
Thu Jul 8 08:06:08 PDT 1999


On Wed, 7 Jul 1999 yarrowp at mscd.edu wrote:

> Efenwealt wrote:
> <<Speaking of which, I've heard/seen the word spelled "Vivat" and
> "Vivant". Which one is correct? Are these 2 different words that people
> confuse? >>
> 
> Actually, vivat is the singular, he (or she) lives.  Vivant is the plural, 
> they live.
> 
I believe in this usage they have the force of the imperative: "(May)
he/she/they live!"  Same as our "Long live ---!"  For that matter, IIRC
"Banzai!" is about the same: "(May you live) ten thousand years!"

-- Vuong Manh
   Storvik-in-Atlantia

> Vivien (yes, that comes from the same root!)
> 
And a Vivat! to you, then.

-- VM


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