In classic abecedarian fashion A B C Et Cetera, originally published in 1985, takes from the rich Roman cornucopia more than enough to demonstrate the fact that sixty percent of our working vocabulary descends directly from the Latin. Nothing in Roman culture - and Romance - is beyond the measure and mischief of the brothers Humez: not unicorns, Vestal Virgins, and maledicta balloons; not Roman nomenclature, dating systems and numbering; not Roman religion, education, humor, law, slavery, literature, and not, of course, the gluttonous Ampersand.

Frequent collaborators, Alexander and Nicholas Humez have coauthored several books exploring language and languages, both classical and modern. Separately, Alexander has worked as a lexicographer and technical writer, while Nicholas has been a featured columnist as both language specialist and music critic. Together, composer (Nicholas) and lyricist (Alexander) have written three chamber operas and numerous art songs.