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In the Economist this week:

People have, pace vegetarians, evolved to love meat, which contains many necessary nutrients, and especially protein, in higher concentrations than plants do

I'm used to pace meaning "the speed at which one is moving." Is there another meaning to this word that makes sense in this context, other than perhaps "Slow down, vegetarians! Don't be too hasty to rip into us"

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It's Latin for peace. In this context, the writer is indicating that s/he does not want to start an argument with vegetarians.

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  • Thank you - that makes sense. It also means my internal vocalization should be "pa-chay" not "pee-se" right?
    – Affable Geek
    Commented Aug 10, 2013 at 14:50
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    Yes, @AffableGeek, that is the normal pronunciation. And I have seen the word used sincerely ("I am not trying to start a debate on the merits of vegetarianism", or ironically "We all know the vegetarians are going to howl about this, however...").
    – JeffSahol
    Commented Aug 10, 2013 at 15:22
  • But how did vegetarians evolve?
    – Edwin Ashworth
    Commented Aug 10, 2013 at 15:51
  • This is correct. You'll also see similar usage with other communities: for example, google "pace atheists".
    – MetaEd
    Commented Aug 10, 2013 at 16:18
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    Though not required per se, it might be noted, en passant that italics (as seen in the original quote) are often used as an indication of a Latin (or other foreign) word or phrase. At one time it was de rigueur for, inter alia phrases like vice versa, caveat emptor et al to be marked this way.
    – TripeHound
    Commented Apr 12, 2018 at 10:14
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preposition 1. with all due respect to; with the permission of: I do not, pace my rival, hold with the ideas of the reactionists. source: http://www.dictionary.com/browse/pace

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