I was tempted to suggest that the difference between curriculum vitae and
resume is that one is Latin, the other French.

I checked my dictionary (a concept which I realize is scorned by many) and
found that "curriculum vitae" is defined as a "short" account of one's
accomplishments and qualifications, usually intended for use in a job
application.  Resume (add accents) was defined as a curriculum vitae!  There
doesn't seem to be any particular justification for assuming that one is
necessarily shorter than the other.

My conclusion meets my original impression of the difference: one is Latin,
the other French.

Seriously, though, I think it boils down to a question of who's using the
terms.  Academics and museum folks talk about "curriculum vitae," while the
business world likes resume.  You might assume that the former merely prefer
longer words.  On the other hand, "c.v." is shorter than resume.

David Haberstich

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