Fodor's Travel Talk Forums

Fodor's Travel Talk Forums (https://www.fodors.com/community/)
-   Europe (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/)
-   -   Sign on back of a motorcyle. (https://www.fodors.com/community/europe/sign-on-back-of-a-motorcyle-934247/)

Pegontheroad May 6th, 2012 03:09 PM

Sign on back of a motorcyle.
 
"Cogito, ergo zoom."

The sign was a take-off on the philosophical statement, "I think; therefore I am." In Latin, "Cogito ergo sum."

I looked it up and found that it's a quote from Descartes. I thought it was cute because it was so unexpected on the back of a motorcycle. I don't know the owner of the motorcycle, but it was in front of a the house of a youngish guy who has planted strawberries in his front yard and who often sits on his front porch reading.

Pepper_von_snoot May 6th, 2012 07:08 PM

In Vino Veritas

Jacta Alea Est

Vox Clamantis in Deserto


Thin

Southam May 7th, 2012 05:16 AM

Descartes has been misappropriated before, notably in the closing line of Monty Python's Philosophers Drinking Song, "I drink therefore I am." Complete lyrics can be seen here http://www.wonderingminstrels.blogsp...ty-python.html in suitably bleery typeface.
However, others trace the comic misquote further back, to W.C. Fields, who certainly lived up to the slogan.

ParisAmsterdam May 7th, 2012 07:40 AM

For many years "Cogito, ergo zoom." was the tagline or slogan used by magazine editor/publisher/journalist/car fanatic David E Davis. He was the editor of "Car and Driver" and founder of "Automobile" magazines and used the slogan as the tagline in his columns for years.

I read his stuff for years but haven't for a while... gave up reading car mags a few years ago... I did a quick lookup at Wikipedia and sadly, I see he's passed away. I don't know if he originated the phrase but he was an intelligent and witty man so it wouldn't surprise at all me if he did.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_E._Davis

ira May 7th, 2012 09:13 AM

Descartes was sitting in a cafe with a couple of friends when the waiter asked it they would like another round.

"I think I will", said one.

"I think so", said another.

"I think not", said Descartes - and disappeared.

((I))


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 02:54 PM.