The Latin phrase per se means “by itself” or “in itself.” Many many years ago in the English language, the alphabet ended with “&.” As Merriam-Webster says: “When the 27th quasi-letter & was referred to it was called & per se, and, meaning “& by itself (is the word) and.'”
That phrase became the word ampersand.
I mention that etymology because this happened.
Whatever expression you imagine I made reading that, you’re probably right.