10 Latin Language References Hidden in Harry Potter

"I cannot remember telling my parents that I was studying Classics," J.K. Rowling said in a 2011 commencement speech at Harvard. "They might well have found out for the first time on graduation day." Before the future Harry Potter creator arrived at the University of Exeter in 1983, Rowling’s mother and father had dissuaded her from focusing on English literature. Eventually, she agreed to set her sights on modern languages instead.

In the end, Rowling studied French, which she has since called "a mistake." But her chosen minor would pay off big-time. As a Classics student, Rowling’s coursework later helped flesh out Harry Potter’s magical world, for at Hogwarts, the tongue of ancient Rome is alive and well. Every other page in the series is loaded with Latin—here are some of our favorite nods.

1. Accio

When Harry and the gang use this helpful charm, desired objects (like broomsticks) come flying over. Originally, the word meant—among other things—"send (for)," "summon (forth)," or 'fetch."

2. Expecto Patronum

According to Rowling, non-muggle Latin had been evolving for thousands of years by the time her books take place. Hence, a few definitions got tweaked. As she said in 2000, "It just amused me, the idea that wizards would still be using Latin as a living language, although it is, as scholars of Latin will know … I take great liberties with the language for spells. I see it as a kind of mutation that the wizards are using."

Case in point: Expecto patronum means "I await a patron." In classical Rome, a patronus was a rich citizen who would pay and offer legal protection to some of his poorer associates who’d show their gratitude by providing various services—an awfully far cry from those animal-shaped, dementor-fighting guardians Rowling came up with.

3. Evanesco

Here’s a disappearing spell—which Neville Longbottom casts on his own desk—that literally means "to vanish." Sounds about right.

4. Incendio

Who’s up for another no-brainer? Shouting "Incendio!" helps Mr. Weasley light the Dursley’s fireplace. Oh, and by the way, incendiarius is Latin for "fire-raising."

5. Expelliarmus

When you’ve gotten this one down pat, disarming an opponent becomes child’s play. The incantation loosely combines expellere ("drive out" or "expel") and arma ("weapon").

6. Nox

Whispering the Latin word for "night" is basically the astute young wizard’s answer to those trendy "clap-off" lamps—it extinguishes the glow at the end of your wand.

7. Crucio, the Cruciatus Curse

One of the three unforgivable curses in Harry’s world, this spell inflicts unbearable, agonizing pain upon its target. Naturally, Voldemort loves it. Cruciare means "torment/torture" and is related to the English term "crucifixion."

8. Severus Snape

Severus is how Latin-speakers say "severe" or "serious." That about sums up Snape’s chilly personality.

9. Draco Malfoy

Linguistically, there’s a connection between this obnoxious bully and Disney’s scariest villain. Like Sleeping Beauty’s devil-horned Maleficent, Malfoy can be traced back to malus, which means "bad," "evil," or "wicked." As for his first name, Draco translates to "dragon"—a Latinization of the ancient Greek word drakōn. Be that as it may, just about every fire-breathing reptile in the series is a good deal nicer than Malfoy...

10. Professor Lupin

No wonder this guy got himself bitten by a werewolf! With a name like Lupin, Harry’s third Defense Against the Dark Arts professor had it coming—after all, not only does lupus mean "wolf," but the extant gray wolf is scientifically known as Canis lupus.

BONUS: HOGWARTS’ SCHOOL MOTTO

While it isn’t exactly "hidden," this deserves a quick mention. Like a number of real schools and universities, Hogwarts pours on the prestige with a Latin slogan: Draco Dormiens Numquam Titillandus or "Never Tickle a Sleeping Dragon." Eat your heart out, Yale.