Semper Ubi Sub Ubi

Do you recognize the title of this post? I may have mentioned it in class. Unfortunately, I didn't come up with this memorable phrase; it's actually been around for years! It is a way to help poor, suffering Latin students like you (j/k!) remember the meaning of three very common Latin words. When you translate each word separately, you get the following: Always (semper) Where (ubi) Under (sub) Where (ubi, again). Although it sounds like very good advice, it's actually not grammatically correct, in Latin or English.

So how do you say "Always wear underwear" in Latin? Before I answer this, allow me to take a chance to talk a little about Roman clothing. You may have heard about "toga parties", or may have even gone "toga bowling" with us last spring. The toga was a very important Roman garment, but it was worn only by men who were Roman citizens. Because of this, it became a symbol of Roman citizenship. In fact, there were many different kinds of togas. The basic all white one, worn by men once they turned 15 or 16, was called the toga virilis. As boys, Romans wore the toga praetexta, which had a purple border. Strangely, Roman senators and public officials (magistrates) also wore this toga. There was also a dark gray toga worn during funerals called the toga pulla; a very bright white toga worn by candidates for office called the toga candida; and an all purple or crimson toga worn by triumphant generals and emperors called the toga picta.

Only scandalous women would wear a toga. Instead, they wore an ankle length, usually sleeveless dress called a stola. They also wore a shawl or scarf called a palla. All people in Rome -men, women, boys, girls, slaves- wore something like a long woolen t-shirt called a tunica. It was kind of like a tunic top, which is where this modern day garment gets its name.

Underneath everything, most people would wear, you guessed it, underwear! These were called subligaculum. Does this seem like an appropriate name to you? So the correct way to say "always wear underwear" is: "Semper gere subligaculum" Hey! That's part of the address for this blog!

Here are some links to more information on Roman clothing:
Overview of Roman clothing
Very thorough discussion of Roman clothing
Even MORE information about Roman clothing