The Abominable Snowman: Peter Cushing uses Latin
by Darcey
(Birdsboro, PA)
Dear Latin Teacher,
In the movie "The Abominable Snowman", Peter Cushing uses a phrase that sounds like Homo Pestans, which he then translates to mean "Man the Destroyer". I've done some research online, and I've come up with 2 separate & distinct possibilities, neither of which seem correct given the context. The first is "Homo Pestis", a (roughly cobbled together) phrase which sounds correct but appears to mean "Man the Vermin", or "Man the Plague". The second is "Homo Exterminatore", which is a correct translation but doesn't have the same sound. Would you help me figure this out, please? Thank you, in advance, for your efforts.
Dear Darcy,
I would love to be able to answer this question. Unfortunately, I haven't seen the film. Is it possible that he says homo pestilens?
Wonderful question. I'll keep this thread open, and I'll try to get my hands on the film.
Thanks for asking a Latin teacher.
Sincerely,
John
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