A. E. I. O. U

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

Austria Est Impërare Orbi Universo.

Alles Erdreich 1st 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).

· ·

Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.