Why is the US Marine Corps motto in LATIN? Semper Fe?

Question

The Motto of the United States Marine Corps--Latin for always faithful.
Why is it in Latin?
I always thought this meant Simply Free. I finally just learned what it meant on Y/A! See...sometimes things CAN be learned on here!

I ALREADY KNOW WHAT IT MEANS!! You can see in my question comments that I already know! I want to know WHY a United States Marine Corp. motto is in another language?

singerpoet...I'm an American too.

2 answers, but neither one answer my question. jeesh

yes, singerpoet, that helps. thank you.

Answer 1

Because of a famous roman general Chestius Pullius whose epic feats inspired the Marine Corps. Therefore they used this generals native tongue latin and his motto.
Semper Fidelis(Always Faithful) was the personal motto of Chestius Pullius

NOTE: i notice others have given you long cut and pasted wikipedia answers but i gave you the correct one. ask any marine about Gen. Chestius Pullius and they will tell you.

Answer 2

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Why is the US Marine Corps motto in LATIN? Semper Fe?
The Motto of the United States Marine Corps--Latin for always faithful.
Why is it in Latin?
I always thought this meant Simply Free. I finally just learned what it meant on Y/A! See...sometimes things CAN be learned on here!

Answer 3

From Wikipedia: The motto signifies the dedication that individual Marines are expected to have loyalty to "Corps and Country" and to their fellow fighting men and women, for the rest of their days and beyond.

Why they chose latin probably had a lot to do with the motto being chosen in the late 1800s. Latin was a more common study before the 20th century and in particular before political correctness ran amok and tried to get all the "dead, white males" out of education. Many US mottos are in latin as a reflection of, and tribute to the culture from which the european enlightenment, and then America, evolved.

Answer 4

Semper Fe

Answer 5

Many mottos are phrased in Latin. It is a universal language of antiquity. The US Coast Guard's motto is: Semper Paradus- Always Ready. Many legal terms are phrased in Latin as well.

Answer 6

All mottos are written in latin, out of tradition. The Roman legions each had a different motto written in latin under their standard - a small gold square sheild with a big eagle on top. Later when feudal age nobility developed from the aftermath of the roman empire they developed coats fo arms for families. Also with latin mottos on a banner below. Originally this was because while they spoke native laguages, many of which were blended with latin via roman occupation, latin was the only standardized written laguage in Europe. From these feudal ages we get military regiments, which were originally raised by feudal lords in service of their king/queen, and which carried a banner & adopted the coat of arms of the family/lord they served. After the fall of the feudal system, regiments developed their own unit coats of arms. Fast forward to today... Our units still have heraldric coats of arms with mottos written in latin. Personally I think the Army Special Forces motto is fairly applicable today: De Oppresso Libre

Answer 7

Us Marine Motto

Answer 8

I'm an American---howdy. If you don't mind the correction, it's generally spelled, "Semper Fi."

HI! I was just able to log back in to give you further response. To illuminate: our U.S. forefathers had a habit of slapping Latin on everything (check out our dollar bills "E Pluribus Unum"). The Marines are just one group that have carried on that Latin moniker tradition in the West. Hope that helps.

Answer 9

It's just a tradition! Nothing more.

Like our national motto on our currency, "E pluribus unum". That's just the way mottos were made in those days.

But you have to admit that "Semper Fi" sounds a lot better than "Always Faithful" when yelled out by our hard charging devil dogs!

Answer 10

It is Semper Fidelus or Semper Fi, for short. It means "always faithful".