h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

gramatically and from the point of being better Latin, which is to be prefered (and why)

Nemo me bastardes carborundum

or

Non illegitamus carborundum

I can't understand either of them.

I thought they were meant to be versions of "don't let the Bastards grind you down". Been a while since I did proper Latin though so pretty rusty. I may be confusing it with nemo me impune lecissit (think I spelt the last word wrong).

'Carborundum' is the registered trade name of a kind of silicon carbide. It is an invented word (from 'carbon' and 'corundum').

You mean 'Nemo me impune lacessit.' Noone provokes me with impunity.

Bastard in Latin is 'nothus', but I'm not sure if it was used in the sense used here. 'Mentula' (prick) or 'irrumator' (face ****er) are also insulting names. So 'Don't let the bastards grind you down' might be translated as 'Noli mentulas/nothos/irrumatores te opprimere pati.'

This posting has been brought to you by the letter A and the number 7.
I'm off for some and .