The Great Ibid Caper: Should You Use This Latin Fugitive in Your Chicago Papers?
Ah, the elusive ibid. It pops up in footnotes like a mysterious shadow, whispering, "Psst, it's me again, that same source you just saw." But is this Latin refugee welcome in the upstanding world of Chicago style? Let's grab a metaphorical cup of joe (because who writes about citations without caffeine?) and delve into this academic intrigue.
A Brief History of Ibid's Glory Days (and Maybe Some Shady Business)
Back in the olden days (otherwise known as the 16th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style), ibid was like the cool kid at the footnote party. It saved space, kept things neat, and everyone knew what it meant ("in the same place," for those who haven't brushed up on their Latin lately).
But here's the thing: ibid can be a bit of a slacker. It only points to the citation directly above it, meaning if you skip a source in between, things get confusing. Imagine ibid at a party, pointing at someone and saying, "That's my friend...over there...ish." Not exactly clear, is it?
The Chicago Manual of Style Throws Some Shade on Ibid (But Offers a Handsome Replacement)
The 17th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style decided to crack down on ibid's shady ways. They politely, yet firmly, suggested using shortened citations instead. These are like ibid's responsible cousin who actually writes down the author's name and a shortened title – much more reliable!
Here's how it works:
- First Citation: You give the full Monty – author, title, publisher, city, year, and page number.
- Second Citation (Same Source): You whip out the shortened form – Author's last name, a comma, a shortened title (usually the first few words), and the page number.
For example:
- First: Smith, J. Cooking for Dummies. Chicago: Acme Press, 2023. Page 12.
- Second: Smith, Cooking, 13.
See? Clear, concise, and no shady business from ibid.
So, Should You Ditch Ibid Altogether?
Well, that depends on what edition of the Chicago Manual of Style you're using.
- 16th Edition: Ibid is still technically allowed, but use it with caution (and maybe a grain of salt).
- 17th Edition (and beyond, we assume): Stick with the shortened form citations. It's the new sheriff in town, and it's there to keep your footnotes clean and clear.
The moral of the story? Ibid might be a charming old soul, but when it comes to Chicago style, shortened citations are the way to go. They're reliable, responsible, and won't land you in hot water with your professor. Now, go forth and write those footnotes with confidence (and maybe a wink to ibid for its past service)!
