You've probably seen it, maybe even used it yourself: 'vid.' It's one of those handy little abbreviations that pops up, especially in academic or technical writing. But what exactly does it mean, and where does it come from?
At its heart, 'vid.' is a shorthand, a quick nod to a Latin phrase. It's an abbreviation for 'vide,' which quite literally means 'see' in Latin. Think of it as a polite, old-school way of saying, 'Hey, turn your attention over here!' or 'Refer to this.' You'll often find it used to point you to another part of the same document, or perhaps a different text altogether. Phrases like 'vide ante' (see before) or 'vide infra' (see below) are classic examples, guiding you through a text like a helpful signpost.
Interestingly, 'vide' itself can also be shortened further, sometimes appearing as 'v.' or even 'vid' without the period. This can add a layer of confusion, because 'vid' without the period has a much more modern and common meaning: it's simply a casual, informal shortening of 'video.' So, if you're scrolling through social media or chatting with friends, 'vid' almost certainly refers to a video clip. But in a more formal context, especially when you see that little period, it's a signal to look elsewhere in the text.
This dual nature of 'vid' highlights how language evolves. One form, rooted in ancient Latin, serves a precise function in scholarly discourse, while the other, born from our digital age, is part of our everyday vernacular. It’s a neat little linguistic quirk, isn't it? The next time you encounter 'vid.', take a moment to consider the context – are you being directed to another page, or is someone sharing a funny cat video?
