Motto

From Includipedia, the inclusionist encyclopedia

For other uses, see Motto (disambiguation).

A motto is a phrase meant to formally describe the general motivation or intention of a social group or organization. A motto may be in any language. Latin and to a lesser degree French are disproportionately frequent, because each was the principal international language for a considerable period. The local language is usual in the mottos of governments.

Fraternities and sororities typically have their (usually secret) mottos in the Greek language. That of the County of Somerset is in Anglo-Saxon.

A canting motto is one that contains word play. For example, the motto of the Earl of Onslow is Festina lente, punningly interpreting on-slow (literally "make haste slowly").

In heraldry, a motto is often depicted in an achievement of arms, typically on a scroll below the shield, or else above the crest as in Scots heraldry. Although very unusual and perhaps outside regular heraldic practice, there are some examples of the particular appearance of the motto scroll and letters thereon being blazoned.^[1]

Ships and submarines in the Royal Navy each have a crest and motto, as do units of the Royal Air Force.

In English heraldry mottoes are not granted with armorial bearings and are not hereditable, conversely in Scottish heraldry they are.