What Does 'Semper Ubi Sub Ubi' Mean?

  • Thread starter bsun2
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In summary, "vice versa" is often used incorrectly to mean the opposite of a statement, when it actually means to reverse the order of a statement. It can also be used in a "converse" statement, but not in an "inverse" statement. Its pronunciation is often confused, with some people saying it with a Latin accent and others with an English accent. "Veni, vidi, vici" is a similar phrase that is sometimes mispronounced as well. Another Latin phrase often mispronounced is "semper ubi sub ubi," which actually means "always wear underwear."
  • #1
bsun2
1
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use of "vice versa"

My friend and I were discussing if this was an appropriate way to use the term "vice versa." He says that it can be used, making the sentence mean "if time decreases, turn left, and if time increases, turn right." I'm not sure if vice versa works in this case.

"If time decreases, turn left (& vice-versa)"

Thanks!
 
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  • #2
if your friend is correct and you are wrong then it doesn't matter, and vice versa.
 
  • #3
cronxeh said:
if your friend is correct and you are wrong then it doesn't matter, and vice versa.

I take this to mean "if your friend is correct and you are wrong or your friend is wrong and you are correct then it doesn't matter."
 
  • #4
bsun2 said:
My friend and I were discussing if this was an appropriate way to use the term "vice versa." He says that it can be used, making the sentence mean "if time decreases, turn left, and if time increases, turn right." I'm not sure if vice versa works in this case.

"If time decreases, turn left (& vice-versa)"

Thanks!

Nope, can't be used in that situation. It would make the sentence mean: "If time decreases, turn left, and if time lefts turn decrease." Clearly it creates a nonsensical sentence. Vice versa is not used to imply the opposite of a statement, but to reverse the order of a statement.
 
  • #5
Moonbear said:
Nope, can't be used in that situation. It would make the sentence mean: "If time decreases, turn left, and if time lefts turn decrease." Clearly it creates a nonsensical sentence. Vice versa is not used to imply the opposite of a statement, but to reverse the order of a statement.


thanks for clearing that up! i knew something sounded wrong with that sentence!
 
  • #6
Yup, it's 'this to that' to 'that to this.'
 
  • #7
Although technically Moonbear is absolutely correct (vice verso is supposed to switch the positions of the nouns in this case), it is acceptable to change the noun along with its verb, making " if [you] turn left, time decreases."

This is called a "converse" statement (If A then B :: If B then A), and linguistically the "A" and "B" do not have to be single words but may be the subject-verb phrase. This is they way most people use it without confusion, so it becomes the rule.

Either way, your friend is implying an "inverse" statement (If A then B :: if not A then not B). But that's iff (if and only if) "not A" = "opposite of A." etc etc etc etc. Wonk wonk wonk. No matter how you dice it its not "vice versa," and since using it in this matter obviously does create confusion, it won't become part of the rule.

Liguistics is fun. But it kills a party even quicker than phisics does.
 
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  • #8
There's just something about the sound of the 'vice' part that causes confusion. I knew an instructor who taught the vis-a-vis equation in one of his classes. The wet erasable marker equation?! :confused: Turns out he meant Leibniz's vis viva equation ... or vice versa (maybe Leibniz wrote it with a wet erasable marker, but was confused about how to say it ... easily understandable since it hadn't been invented yet).
 
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  • #9
BobG said:
There's just something about the sound of the 'vice' part that causes confusion. I knew an instructor who taught the vis-a-vis equation in one of his classes. The wet erasable marker equation?! :confused:
:smile:

I had a Latin teacher in high school who was a stickler for pronunciation, so in order to have normal conversations with people, I had to unlearn the proper pronunciation and learn the English pronunciation. The proper pronunciation is more like wee'-kay wear'-sa.
 
  • #10
Moonbear said:
:

I had a Latin teacher in high school who was a stickler for pronunciation, so in order to have normal conversations with people, I had to unlearn the proper pronunciation and learn the English pronunciation. The proper pronunciation is more like wee'-kay wear'-sa.

So you also know that Juius Cesar actually said: "weenee wedi weekee"
 
  • #11
Chi Meson said:
So you also know that Juius Cesar actually said: "weenee wedi weekee"
Thanks for that image. That's what we're missing in politics today...

Which of the following could you envision standing up in public wearing a toga and saying "weenee wedi weekee"?

George W.
Hillary
Rudi
Condi
John Kerry (with botox, of course)
Cheney?
Arnold?

We'd probably elect either Justin Timberlake or Janet Jackson.

Or else we'd elect Bill Clinton, again. Somehow, I could imagine him saying it and not looking any dumber than he usually does. :smile:
 
  • #12
BobG said:
Which of the following could you envision standing up in public wearing a toga and saying "weenee wedi weekee"?

George W.
Hillary
Rudi
Condi
John Kerry (with botox, of course)
Cheney?
Arnold?
None of the above, but I can see Dubya being introduced as a weenee.
 
  • #13
Sorry to spoil the fun :-p, but that's "veni, vidi, vici," pronounced "wen-ee, wee-dee, wee-kee"
 
  • #14
hypnagogue said:
Sorry to spoil the fun :-p, but that's "veni, vidi, vici," pronounced "wen-ee, wee-dee, wee-kee"

Yep, hypnagogue to the rescue! :smile:
 
  • #15
Moonbear said:
Yep, hypnagogue to the rescue! :smile:
We've discussed this before, Moonbabe... you have to give me more to work with.
 
  • #16
hypnagogue said:
Sorry to spoil the fun :-p, but that's "veni, vidi, vici," pronounced "wen-ee, wee-dee, wee-kee"
Fudge. There goes another chunk of my brain.
 
  • #17
My wife learned the phrase: Temper ubi sub ubi
 
  • #18
DaveC426913 said:
My wife learned the phrase: Temper ubi sub ubi

It's "semper ubi sub ubi." Although, it's only funny to say the translation, because the meaning is entirely different than how it sounds. But it did get our class to remember that "ubi" = "where"
 

FAQ: What Does 'Semper Ubi Sub Ubi' Mean?

What does "vice versa" mean?

"Vice versa" is a Latin phrase that means "in reverse" or "the other way around". It is used to indicate that the opposite of what was previously stated is also true.

How do I use "vice versa" in a sentence?

"Vice versa" can be used in a sentence to indicate that the opposite of what was previously stated is also true. For example, "I like you, and vice versa" or "I will go to your house, and vice versa."

Is "vice versa" always used in pairs?

No, "vice versa" does not always have to be used in pairs. It can also be used in a sentence alone to convey the same meaning. For example, "I don't like her, and vice versa" or "I will not go to your house, and vice versa."

Can "vice versa" be used in formal writing?

Yes, "vice versa" can be used in formal writing. It is a commonly used phrase in both spoken and written English and is acceptable in all levels of formality.

Are there any other phrases that have a similar meaning to "vice versa"?

Yes, there are other phrases that have a similar meaning to "vice versa". Some examples include "the other way around", "conversely", "mutually", and "reciprocally". However, "vice versa" remains the most commonly used phrase to convey the opposite of a previously stated statement.

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