carpe diem

Where does the word "carpe diem" come from? It comes from Latin carpe diem, and was adopted directly into English (1800s).

Carpe diem’s story begins in Latin: carpe diem meant “seize the day.” Seize the day, from carpere (to pick, seize) and dies (day), first used by the poet Horace. It reached English by 1800s as carpe diem. From Horace's Odes (23 BC): 'carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero', seize the day, trust little in tomorrow. Today, carpe diem means an exhortation to make the most of the present moment.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient carpe diem "seize the day", seize the day, from carpere (to pick, seize) and dies (day), first used by the poet Horace.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1800s carpe diem "an exhortation to enjoy and make the most of the present moment", from Horace's Odes (23 BC): 'carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero', seize the day, trust little in tomorrow.