Priori Incantatem - further thoughts (longish)

[Geoff Bannister]

No: HPFGUIDX 100242

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "annemehr" <annemehr at y...> 
wrote:
 
> Annemehr:
> Only that "Priori Incantatem" is the name of the spell, and "Prior
> Incantato" is the incantation for using it. It's just 
like "Cruciatus
> Curse" and "Crucio!" or "Imperius Curse" and "Imperio!"  In the
> brother-wand reverse-spell *effect,* as you say, no incantation was
> necessary.
> 
> I'm having trouble thinking of other really good examples, but in 
GoF,
> in the maze, when Harry wants to get through the hedge to rescue
> Cedric from the Cruciatus curse, he uses what is called 
the "Reductor
> Curse," and I believe the incantation was "reducto!"  Also I 
remember
> that the spell that is called the Stunning Spell has the incantation
> "Stupefy!"

Geoff:
I take your point. However, there is an element of inconsistency 
here. The tendency is for the casting of the spell to use the Latin 
vocative case (the "speaking case") which usually ends in an "o". 
There are exceptions: "tantallegra" and "serpensortia" come to mind 
and then there are stupefy" and "scourgify" aren't Latin. But then, 
languages tend to break their own rules because of usage anf the fact 
that they are organic, developing entities