John the OFM  | 02 Apr 2026 11:16 a.m. PST |
I Googled English to Latin for "They are what I say they are." That's what it gave me. I last "studied" Latin in … 1967. Looks pretty good for me. So, the next time you need the 34th Foot for a battle, but have the 22nd still unclaimed, use them. And don't forget to use your Latin to pretend you're educated. It works for using Huns as Tartars, Dakota for Comanche, Dervish as Abyssinians and Alosaurus for T-Rex. Correct me at your peril! |
| myxemail | 02 Apr 2026 12:17 p.m. PST |
I think the phrase will be very useful |
| SBminisguy | 02 Apr 2026 1:05 p.m. PST |
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ochoin  | 02 Apr 2026 1:09 p.m. PST |
John has spoken.Let it be so! (only a fool would correct you, John). |
etotheipi  | 02 Apr 2026 1:57 p.m. PST |
"Quod" is neuter singular ("what/that which"), but "eos" is masculine plural ("them"). It's just more woke gender-mixing nonsense. Res re vera sunt quales sunt. |
John the OFM  | 02 Apr 2026 2:50 p.m. PST |
I have a feeling that someone who I have stifled for calling me a liar and never apologized, is trying to contradict me. I can't be bothered to check and see. |
Grelber  | 02 Apr 2026 3:34 p.m. PST |
I do like the translate function. One of my bands of African natives carries red shields. They are from the Ekunda Magao tribe, which is Swahili for Red Shields. Grelber |
etotheipi  | 02 Apr 2026 3:50 p.m. PST |
I have a feelling that someone who repeatedly says I called him a liar and mandates an apology still can't actually find the non-existent post where I did that. |
ochoin  | 02 Apr 2026 4:35 p.m. PST |
I'm not going to contradict you, John – I don't think I'm brave enough! So, whilst I totally agree with the pragmatism expressed in the OP, I'd like to add – tinged with aspiration.So by all means use Dervish for Abyssinians but if you plan to game the 1867-1868 Expedition extensively and at length, consider acquiring Abyssinian figures. |
Oberlindes Sol LIC  | 02 Apr 2026 5:01 p.m. PST |
The value of the study of the Latin cannot be overstated. I last studied it in 1975, and have used it my entire life. |
ochoin  | 02 Apr 2026 5:13 p.m. PST |
Not so fast, Oberlindes – koine Greek trumps Latin. Even the Romans thought so, with the educated classes conversing in Greek. |
| Sergeant Paper | 02 Apr 2026 7:22 p.m. PST |
I cannot accept etothepi's "Things in truth are as they are" as equivalent to the OFM's "They are what I say they are." Not the same meaning. Also, THIS nonsense. "It's just more woke gender-mixing nonsense." Nope, get this bull^^^t culture wars rubbish out of TMP. Editors, if I have overstepped take me. but take etothepi too, for BS culture war ranting that has no place in civilized discourse. Enough already. |
John the OFM  | 02 Apr 2026 7:38 p.m. PST |
My meaning is clear. I strive to make and paint my regiments as "accurate" as possible. Yet, THAT REGIMENT did not appear in every single battle, so what you gonna do? Refuse to have or play that battle? I think not. So, as a joke, I Googled (BTW, I have little faith in an unbiased Google) the phrase which is the unofficial motto of at the least my partner in crime, and posted it here. It looked okay to me, and that's all that matters. Romanes ite domum, y'all. If you don't like it, complain to Sister Saint Lawrence. |
etotheipi  | 02 Apr 2026 7:54 p.m. PST |
I cannot accept etothepi's "Things in truth are as they are" as equivalent to the OFM's "They are what I say they are." Where did I say they are equivalent? You are correct. It is the opposite of what he said. That was the point. Also, THIS nonsense That was a stab at the grammatic error I pointed out. |
ochoin  | 02 Apr 2026 9:10 p.m. PST |
Wargamers do the best they can. Obviously, the tunic-wearing psiloi armed with a javelin can appear in a wide range of Ancient periods & armies, even though there may be slight issues with historical accuracy. What becomes more difficult are later wars that are split into periods – Early, middle or Late WW2 or the Sudan with the Mahdi & the latter conflict (several decades later) without him where there are extreme changes in uniform/appearance. So, as John has stated, will you *not* field your Fuzzy-Wuzzies at Omdurman because by then they'd been barbered & looked like Ansar? Or will your Belgic shako'd British infantry remain on the shelf as you fight Vittoria? I would suggest that most of us go with John's 'Sunt quod dico eos esse'. BTW I have a WW2 Russian command truck that I use with my WW2 British divisional command even though I know it secretly horrifies one of my pals. It looks kind of like a Dorchester.
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