...and we need a motto too

And We Need A Motto Too

The poll is open to anyone that uses this website but choose wisely as you only get one vote - unless, of course, you have multiple ip addresses (to the non-techs this means more than one internet accessing device). I thought I should make this clear to make it fairer as some have obviously cottoned on to it already.

Voting closes on Friday 20th December to allow the motto to be used for the first time on Chum Saturday, the following night.

To look at which motto is currently leading the vote click on 'view results'.

Click here for more information, to see the ones that didn't make it and the reasons why.

Motto -
1. A brief statement used to express a principle, goal, or ideal.
2. A sentence, phrase, or word of appropriate character inscribed on or attached to an object.
3. A maxim adopted as a guide to one's conduct.

As our latest Chum Andy has quite rightly pointed out not only have we still not got a Logo but we don't even have a Motto. I, and those Chums who have discussed it, think the motto should obviously be something that reflects our tastes, ethos, our attitudes and interests and hopefully still manage to show our sense of humour - a tall order.

The first thing I hope we can all agree on it that whatever we choose It will look cooler in Latin. Especially if once translated back into English it it doesn't. For example 'Osculum mihi puerum vivos navita! ' - may sound impressive until you realise it means 'Kiss me quick sailor-boy.

The glue that binds our merry little band is mostly is drinking copious amounts of alcohol so this should be reflected in our motto too. The final thing that we should all agree on is that it should be short, pithy and, most importantly, easy to memorize and then drunkenly chant.

With all this in mind Andy has put his thinking cap on and got his Latin dictionary out and come up with a shortlist of likely candidates, mostly with a boozing theme and they are presented below. I have included a couple of my own just to open it up a bit.

These suggestions are by no means definitive. If anyone has any other candidates for inclusion chumment them for discussion, or e-mail them and I'll add them to the list. After a few weeks I will upload a poll of those that seem the most popular and we can democratically decide upon the best one.

UPDATE 19th September

So many mottos but there can be only one as the McLeod once said.

I will let the list sit for another week until the holiday Chums return and let them have there say they then streamline it down to four or five. It is up to each Chum to post something positive about any they like. Those that receive no or negative comments won't get to the short list.

UPDATE 15th September

I have noticed a slightly worrying thing. translating English to Latin is not as straight forward as say french to English. You can use Google translate and others twice to do the same phrase and the meanings will often differ each time. also translating it from English to Latin and then back again will change it sometimes too. The ones that work best (or at least don't change meaning too much) are the short ones which is actually a good thing, i suppose.

The motto that we eventually choose will have had to have been vigorously road tested before we can adopted. I don't want to have to write it out 100 times or have my balls cut off...

This is a useful link if your Latin is poor and its fun to play around with too - Google English to Latin translator

UPDATE 25th September

From Neil's Chumment, he thinks (and I agree) the mottos should be...

a. Easy to pronounce when drunk.
b. Actually roll off the tongue as mottos should.
c. Make us sound more intelligent and therefore more attractive.
d. Actually project a positive message to any would be chums as to our aims and dreams in life.

(e) I am also ruling out mottos that are rip offs of famous quotes or have been used elsewhere, no matter how funny they are.
(f) I am discounting ones that have ambiguous translations. Some you type into google and they don't repeat exactly the same with each translation - typically the longer ones.

With these thoughts in mind I have highlighted a provisional shortlist for consideration. Nominations still haven't closed I know The Makas are only recently back and the McE's are still to look at them and either may have suggestions to make. Any one who strongly wants one short listed let me know.

The candidates for consideration so far...

'In caelum cerevisiae est nullum, Itaque hic bibemus illum! - In heaven there's no beer, that's why we drink it here.
'Exigua pars est vitae quam nos vivimus' - The part of life we live is really short.
'Crapula' - Drunkenness/excessive drinking/intoxication.( #1)
'Nihil homini amico est opportuno amicius' - There is nothing more friendly than a friend in need.
'Mihi est compositum in taberna mori' - It is my faith to die in a tavern (bar).
'Carpe cervisiam' - Seize the beer. (#2)
'Cogito sumere potum alterum.' - I think I'll have another drink.
'Edamus, bibamus, gaudeamus.' - Let us eat, drink and be merry.
'Memento vivere'. Remember to live - A reminder of life (literally remember that you have to live).
'Nunc est bibendum' - Now is the time to drink. (#3)
"Me transmitee sursum, Caledoni' - Beam me up Scottie.
'Sit vis vobiscum.' - May the force be with you.
'Nil Illegitimi Carborundum' - Don't let the bastards grind you down.
'Bibo ergo sum' - I drink, therefore I am. (#4)
Omnis vectes, et in universo mundo' - Of all the bars, in all the world...
Timor nunquam est ibi cervisia' - Never fear beer is here. (#5)
Potum, petra, et domum kebeb' - drink, rock, kebeb and home. (Also translates as Drink, rock and house kebeb lol)
'Faciem meam non rugosus suus potio' - my face isn't wrinkly - it's the drink.
In dubio cerevisiam' - When in doubt have another beer. (this also translate as Beer in doubt)
Sodali, sodali, sodali '- Chum, chum, chum. (this also translate as member! Member! Member! (ooh err)
Vitae vivendum'- bibens dolor sit - Life is for living - beer is for drinking.
'Chums ad vitam' - Non enim Navitatis - Chums are for life - not just for Xmas.
Quid enim bonum tibi est. -Good for what ails you.
Grando in omni cervisie. -All hail the ale.
Inter adepto.- Get amongst. (one for Jovi)
Non agitare. -Don't panic.
Unum in via. -One for the road. (also translates as 'One on the way' which I think is fine too)
Suus mea sextarius. -Mines a pint. This also translates as 'It's my pint' - a subtly different meaning
Infinitum et oblivionem - To infinity and oblivion

December 7th - Reasons for not making the final cut.

Red indicates the phrase was too long /difficult to remember.
Purple indicates it simply didn't sound good when drunkenly shouted out or chanted.
Blue indicates although funny it wasn't chumly enough in sentiment or that it had been shamelessly had been ripped off from elsewhere.
Yellow indicates it was incorrectly translated or has more than one (inappropriate/nonsensical) meaning when translated back and forth

Andy included this and although it doesn't really fit the criteria I just love the work that's gone into it and the sentiment behind it- as threats go it's pretty specific:)

'Catapultam habeo. Nisi pecuniam omnem mihi dabis, ad caput tuum saxum immane mittam.' - I have a catapult. Give me all the money, or I will fling an enormous rock at your head.