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Question for Cliffe members

On 3 Dec 2015 at 8:50am Tractor wrote:

This is a genuine question, genuine answers would be welcome. Why is your motto in Latin? You are the only Society to use Latin as far as I am aware, and Latin was very much the language of Papists at the time Cliffe BS was established. The use of Latin was even a reason the Papists were disliked.

It hadn't been used by the monarch or Parliament for a long time either, and was only taught in what would be considered "posh" establishment schools, so the choice of the Papist, establishment language, which wouldn't have been understood by the majority of members, is a curious one.

On 3 Dec 2015 at 8:59am Black and shite wrote:

Pretentious that's why
Though I'm sure most of the knuckle draggers still don't know what it means

On 3 Dec 2015 at 2:50pm Second to none wrote:

is what it means - and does anyone know what the motto on the doorway of Priory School chapel means ?

On 3 Dec 2015 at 3:22pm Smart arse wrote:

To give and not to count the cost

On 3 Dec 2015 at 5:12pm Thankyou Smart arse wrote:

Have a virtual secret handshake. From one Old Boy to another ? A rousing chorus of "Balls to Fa**** " is called for I think, should you remember the erstwhile headmaster whose comb over inspired much amusement when viewed from the gallery during assembly.

On 3 Dec 2015 at 5:13pm Old Bike wrote:

Second to just about everyone at the moment.

On 3 Dec 2015 at 6:07pm Annette Curtin-Twitcher wrote:

The Cliffe motto is also the motto of the Coldstream Guards!
Latin wasn't only taught in "posh" establishment schools, it was commonly taught in ordinary grammar schools until well into the 1960s.

On 3 Dec 2015 at 7:55pm Signalman wrote:

My grammar school motto was 'Nisi Dominus Frustra' I think all ordinary grammar schools had latin mottos and taught latin back in the 60's.

On 3 Dec 2015 at 8:40pm Priory Student wrote:

Priory taught Latin in the late 70's, not sure how long after or even if they still do.

On 3 Dec 2015 at 8:41pm Tractor wrote:

Compulsory education didn't come in until well after Cliffe BS was founded so that doesn't ring true. Coldstream guards were 2nd and that's the origin of their slightly tongue in cheek motto. So maybe it's the same for Cliffe coming after Borough.