Latin? Quotation.

[Floella]

Can you clever AB'ers please translate this

IN MANU ILLIUS PLUMBIUM AURUM FIEBAT.

thanks in advance.

[jno]

I haven't got a dictionary to hand but it looks like 'lead turns to gold in his hands'. Someone else may be able to be more precise.

[Floella]

Thanks Jno. That sounds about right, this quotation is printed on an envelope my daughter received in the post today. I bet its junk mail telling her she's "won" a fortune.
flo x

[dr pop]

Pretty much as jno translates - although I have never come across fiebat in any form of Latin. You would think that if they were going to try and con you they would be professional about it

[Floella]

Thanks Dr Pop.
Does Fiebat have a literal translation or is it not Latin as you know it?
Thanks
Flo

[Quizmonster]

'Fiebat' is Latin for 'was made', so 'In his hand, lead was made (into) gold.'

[Quizmonster]

It's a quote from Petronius, by the way.

[Floella]

Thanks Quizmonster. Very helpful.

[Peter Pedant]

si there an i in plumbum ?

Fio is used as the passive of facio I make

so fiebat, it was made

[stud_monkey]

Beware the ill plumber talking crap