LMAO- Colbert's fireplace "Videri Quam Esse"

[underpants]

Esse quam videri
Esse quam videri is a Latin phrase meaning "To be, rather than to seem to be."


Popular culture
Television personality Stephen Colbert inverts this statement on his show The Colbert Report to be Videri Quam Esse<7>, meaning "to seem to be rather than to be" in reference to his TV personality as seemingly being a serious, right-wing pundit. It is also engraved above the digital fireplace in his studio, under his portrait.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esse_quam_videri

I hadn't seen this until his "sick" show on Monday (watched on DVR this morning) TOO FUNNY and as always the most clever and informative show on TV

[unhappycamper]

1. What does 'SCILF' in his intro mean?

My best guess so far is 'South Carolina ? ? ?". :(

[Joanie Baloney]

6. I think

I think it stands for 'Stephen Colbert I'd Like to Fuck' - as in MILF, etc.

:shrug:

[underpants]

7. That is what I took it to be. I still think "Lincolnish" is the best

On his very first show he did "The Word" and introduced "truthiness". He has followed that thesis from there on. Impressive.

[Canuckistanian]

2. Wow, covert jokes in Latin

That has to be the most concealed gag in TV history. Kudos to the author of the gag and the Wikipedia writer.

Unless they're the same person.

[Dogmudgeon]

3. Machiavelli also used Colbert's version

I think it was in reference to how leaders should act -- kind of like "fake it until you make it".

--d!

[Igel]

9. Or, to preserve precedence,

perhaps we should say that Colbert is quoting Machiavelli. The question is, Does Colbert actually believe this or is it sarcastic and attributed to others?

I'm unaware that Machiavelli intended for leaders to become how they appeared. Deception to achieve your goals is a valid course of action. Now, there's deception to merely achieve civility; petty hypocrisies--but there is deception to score larger political victories, and its on this that most modern politics is built. The biggest deception is always, "But the (wo)man I support for office isn't deceptive, s/he's sincere and authentic."

Right.

The shallow version that I rather assume Colbert pursues in his own life is
"Living in the limelight
The universal dream
For those who wish to seem."

[supernova]

4. Esse quam videri also our state motto in NC

i'm pretty sure growing up in SC he heard it.

Nice little inversion, there. :D

[malaise]

5. Very clever

No wonder the RWs and media hacks can't get over his performance at the WH Correspondence Dinner. That was freaking brilliant.

[Esse Quam Videri]

8. Also my handle

Came up with the name based on the stolen 2000 election.