Does anyone here know Latin

[ptc24]

So I wanted some Latin for "out of thin air" - basically I wanted a more scathing version of ex nihilo or a priori. Google translate suggested ex tenues auras, and I like the implication of "tenuous", but I'm not sure it's a) even remotely correct and b) whether there's an actual Latin idiom that carries the same air of dismissal, and which doesn't make you look stupid for using it (and lead to people pointedly wondering where you got that phrase from).

Comments

[pseudomonas]

The term deus ex machina comes to mind, though that's more a theatrical/literary metaphor.

I'd not go with a literal translation, unless you have the standing to say "I hereby establish this new term".

[simont]

On an only vaguely related note, I was wondering this morning if there was a snappy Latin tag to be had along the lines of "fores solae explodendae sunt".

[ptc24]

It took me a while to get that, until I stopped trying to look up "explodendae" and take it a bit more at face value.

[jack]

For what context? I don't know, but I'm surprised there might be anything better than "ex nihilo", that seems to have a similar meaning plus insinuations of delusions of godhood?

[ptc24]

Well, my original idea was to use it in the context of moral philosophy, but once I'd thought of it, I thought it could be used more widely.

You see, with moral philosophy, ex nihilo and a priori could imply "you've found the Root Of All Good", whereas ex tenues auras doesn't imply anything so grand.

[jack]

Ah, good point. Yeah, I expected "ex nihilo" to be equally good, but you're right, if it COULD be taken non-sarcastically you may need to clarify it or say something else.