Ibid in Chicago: A Tale of Mystery, Obscurity, and Mildly Spicy Footnotes
Ah, the footnotes. Those little guys at the bottom of the page, sometimes ignored, sometimes consulted in a fit of academic desperation. But for those of us who dwell in the wild world of citations, footnotes are our battleground. And in that battleground, one mysterious acronym reigns supreme: ibid.
What the Heck is Ibid, Anyway?
For the uninitiated (and let's be honest, sometimes even the initiated), ibid is a fancy Latin abbreviation that stands for "ibidem," which roughly translates to "in the same place." In the context of footnotes, it basically means, "Hey reader, check out that last source I mentioned. It's got all the answers you need...again."
Ibid: Hero or Villain?
Now, ibid used to be the hero of the footnote game. It saved space, it kept things tidy, and let's face it, who wants to type out the entire bibliography every single time? But then, the Chicago Manual of Style, the ultimate arbiter of all things citation-related, threw a wrench into the works.
The Great Ibid Debacle (circa 2020)
In the 17th edition of the Chicago Manual of Style, ibid got relegated to the footnotes Hall of Shame. Apparently, it was deemed a bit too cryptic for modern readers. The new sheriff in town? The Shortened Citation.
This new hero involves using the author's last name, a shortened title, and the ever-important page number. Sure, it takes a bit more effort, but hey, at least your reader won't be left scratching their head wondering what "ibid" refers to (is it a new type of artisanal cheese?).
So, Can You Use Ibid in Chicago?
Technically, in the new Chicago style, no. But if you're referencing an older paper that uses ibid and you're feeling particularly nostalgic, it probably won't get you kicked out of academia. Just be prepared for some raised eyebrows from the Chicago Manual of Style purists.
The Moral of the Story?
Always check your citation style guide! But also, don't be afraid to inject a little bit of personality into your footnotes. After all, even the driest research paper deserves a dash of humor (or at least a footnote about the time you accidentally spilled coffee all over your bibliography).
Remember, footnotes are your friends. Use them wisely. And for the love of all things academic, please don't misuse ibid. (Unless you're feeling particularly rebellious, that is.)
