Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable/A. E. I. O. U.

by Ebenezer Cobham Brewer

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

Austria Est Impérare Orbi Universo.
Alles Erdreich 1st Oesterreich Unterthan.
Austrias 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).