Tempus fugit

This article is about the Latin expression. For other uses, see Tempus fugit (disambiguation).

This article is about the Latin expression. For other uses of the English expression, see Time Flies.

Tempus fugit on a sundial

Tempus fugit is a Latin expression meaning "time flees", more commonly translated as "time flies". It is frequently used as an inscription on clocks. The expression was first recorded in the poem Georgics written by Roman poet Virgil: Sed fugit interea fugit irreparabile tempus, singula dum capti circumvectamur amore, which means, "But meanwhile it flees: time flees irretrievably, while we wander around, prisoners of our love of detail."

In English, the expression – either in the Latin (tempus fugit) or English form ("time flies") – is proverbial, generally with the intended sense, "Time's a-wasting". As such, it expresses concern that one's limited time is being consumed by nothing in particular or by something which may have little intrinsic substance, importance, or urgency.

In popular culture

The expression's succinctness and poignancy have contributed to its enduring popularity in various cultural contexts down the ages. In modern times, it appears as titles for television episodes (The X-Files) and musical compositions (for instance, by Bud Powell and Yes). It also makes many appearances in literature, television (Star Trek: Voyager, Trailer Park Boys), in Dan Brown's novel The Lost Symbol and in movies such as in one of the final scenes in the original Lara Croft: Tomb Raider. The expression furthermore recurs as a motif in the 1954 musical The Pajama Game. In the M*A*S*H episode "Private Finance", Colonel Potter says Tempus Fugit to Hawkeye, meaning for him to hurry, or possibly that "time is of the essence". In the Doctor Who serial Dragonfire, the Doctor says: "Tempus Fugit, I want to be back in time for tea" to his companion Mel, meaning that they must hurry and that "time is of the essence". Tempus Fugit is also the title of a song by the group Yes. This song is featured on their 1980 album, Drama.

See also

• Ars longa, vita brevis
• Carpe diem
• Memento mori
• List of Latin phrases
• (Italian) Breve et inreparabile tempus omnibus est vitae

External links

• Ralegh's poem at an English Literature Site