“‘Latte’ is French for ‘you paid too much for that coffee’”
“Latte’ is French/Italian/Latin for ‘you paid too much for that/your coffee’” is a jocular saying that has been printed on many gift items, such as T-shirts, posters and coffee mugs. The saying has been cited in print since at least 2005.
Similar jokes include “‘Buffet’ is a French word that means ‘get up and get it yourself’” and “‘Nouvelle cuisine’ is French for ‘not enough food.‘“
Wiktionary: latte
Etymology
Abbreviation of caffè latte, from Italian caffè (“coffee”) + latte (“milk”), from Latin lac, lactis.
Noun
latte (plural lattes)
1. A drink of coffee made from espresso and steamed milk, generally topped with foam.
2. A similar drink, where the espresso is replaced with some other flavoring ingredient such as chai, maté or matcha (green tea).
in.jean.ius
12.29.05 Boston Magazine’s Shop Talk, New Year’s Resolutions
(...)
4. I will curb my Starbucks habit. They say “latte” is French for “you paid too much for that coffee.” Economize with the Bialetti Cappaccino Maker, which can whip up a Barista-quality drink in just five minutes. $89.95, Crate & Barrel, Faneuil Hall, 140 Faneuil Hall Marketplace, Boston, 617-742-6025, and other locations, crateandbarrel.com.
Google Groups: alt.gossip.celebrities
Hot Calendar Girl
2/12/06
(...)
Women of Starbucks
(Latte is french for you paid too much for that coffee)
http://vikingphoenix.com/1/fmo/lesfemmes.htm
Infomaniac
WEDNESDAY, MAY 03, 2006
“Latte” is French for “You Paid Too Much For That Coffee”
Kevin & Stacy’s Worldwide Adventures for Beer!
LATTE IS FRENCH FOR “YOU PAID TOO MUCH FOR THAT COFFEE!”
Posted by Kevin-Stacy at 12/29/2007 10:14 AM
Chicago (IL) Tribune—The Stew blog
November 17, 2009
Apoca-coffee-lypse Now? Starbucks raises its prices. Life continues.
(...)
COMMENTS
Starbucks…is it still relevant….? It’s funny to see how much people will pay for coffee… There is a sign on the fridge at work that says “Latte” is french for, “you paid too much for coffee”...that pretty much says it all. It’s all about the foo foo…...its all about marketing and to be associated with the “in crowd’ at any price….
Posted by: vujada | November 17, 2009 at 04:43 PM
006191
LATTE IS ITALIAN FOR YOU PAID TOO MUCH FOR YOUR COFFEE.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Things that NEED to be said
Saturday, July 23, 2011
“Latte” is French for “you paid too much for that coffee”.
Posted by Fay Ben at 9:54 PM
Latte Coffee Mugs
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 2011
“Latte” is french for “you paid too much for that coffee” Mug for Coffee / Hot Beverage 11 oz. RED Buy Now! $16.99
Seriously?
Latin root words…
by brianshae
April 16, 2012
“Latte” is Latin for you paid too much for that coffee…
Surviving and Thriving
How to look like a grownup.
Posted by Donna Freedman on Sep 19, 2014
(...)
After all, one of my favorite freelance paychecks came from suggesting several ideas to a button/magnet company. One of the slogans selected: “‘Latte’ is French for ‘you paid too much for that coffee’.”
That link notes the phrase has been cited in print since “at least 2005.” Yep. That was me, trying to make extra money while I went through my divorce.