Brewer's: A.E.I.O.U.

The device adopted by Frederick V, Archduke of Austria (the Emperor Frederick III, 1440–1493).

Austria Est Imperare Orbi Universo.

Alles Erdreich Ist Oesterreich Unterthan.

Austria's Empire Is Overall Universal.

To which wags added after the war of 1866,

“Austria's Emperor Is Ousted Utterly.”

Frederick II of Prussia is said to have translated the motto thus:

“Austria Erit In Orbe Ultima”

(Austria will one day be lowest in the world).

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Related Content