thermopolium
The Latin word for cafe is thermopolium.
In Ancient Rome, a thermopolium was a commercial establishment where people could purchase hot food and drinks, serving as a precursor to the modern cafe or snack bar.
What does it mean word for word?
The word thermopolium is a compound of thermus (hot) and polium (derived from poilein, meaning to sell), literally meaning a "hot-selling-place".
Did you know?
- Ancient Roman law sometimes viewed the thermopolium with suspicion, as they were seen as hubs for gambling and illicit activities.
- The word thermopolium is a loanword borrowed from the Ancient Greek word thermopṓlion.
- Ancient Romans who frequented a thermopolium often did so because they lived in 'insulae' (apartment blocks) that lacked kitchens and were too fire-prone for cooking.
Examples in context
- Thermopolium vidi simile Londinii.I saw a cafe just like that in London.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use thermopolium in a description.Tatoeba #10832833 by carlosalberto, translation #10832797 by carlosalberto
- Ad thermopolium ibamus.We were going to the cafe.
Example conversation
Two friends are deciding where to eat lunch.
- QuintusEsne esuriens, Claudia?Are you hungry, Claudia?
- ClaudiaIta, Quinte. Ubi edemus?Yes, Quintus. Where shall we eat?
- QuintusAmbulemus ad thermopolium.Let's walk to the cafe.
- ClaudiaOptima idea est!That is a great idea!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries thermopolium, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
