jaydoc1
06-02-10, 22:54
First off I am in no way trying to be the grammar police. Second, I hate to even post this since I'm really trying not to clutter the GD forum in the spirit of keeping it free of BS but I'm very curious about the adoption of the word Vice instead of the proper word Versus when comparing two things. The reason I even bring it up on this website is because this is where I see it used, well all the time. I've never seen it anyplace else other than Costa saying it in the Magpul DVD's.
An example of what I'm referring to is the following:
Running an AR-15 with a mid-length gas system VERSUS running one with a carbine-length one. (This is the proper usage).
OR
Running an AR-15 with a mid-length gas system VICE running one with a carbine-length one. (This is not the proper usage).
Did this grammatical error sprout from the Magpul Dynamics DVDs or has it come from elsewhere? This is asked out of curiosity not in an attempt to point out errors in other people's grammar. I'm simply wondering how this turn of phrase has erroneously become mainstream in this particular population subset?
It most likely comes from an attempt to shorten the phrase vice versa but, unfortunately that really doesn't apply when comparing two items/situations/etc...
The phrase vice versa means "The reverse of the previous statement with the main items transposed".
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/vice-versa.html
Vice means the following in American English:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vice
Versus means the following in American English:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/versus
Now I'm sure I'll get all sorts of justifications posted telling me how the word Vice can be used in place of the word Versus but, unfortunately, those justifications will be wrong. I'm not trying to stir up shit here but words mean things and the correct usage will get you much farther in terms of people listening to you like you know what you're talking about than improper use will.
Please enlighten me as to where/how this improper turn of phrase has become prevalent in the AR/Firearm world.
[Flame-Retardant suit on]
An example of what I'm referring to is the following:
Running an AR-15 with a mid-length gas system VERSUS running one with a carbine-length one. (This is the proper usage).
OR
Running an AR-15 with a mid-length gas system VICE running one with a carbine-length one. (This is not the proper usage).
Did this grammatical error sprout from the Magpul Dynamics DVDs or has it come from elsewhere? This is asked out of curiosity not in an attempt to point out errors in other people's grammar. I'm simply wondering how this turn of phrase has erroneously become mainstream in this particular population subset?
It most likely comes from an attempt to shorten the phrase vice versa but, unfortunately that really doesn't apply when comparing two items/situations/etc...
The phrase vice versa means "The reverse of the previous statement with the main items transposed".
http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/vice-versa.html
Vice means the following in American English:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vice
Versus means the following in American English:
http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/versus
Now I'm sure I'll get all sorts of justifications posted telling me how the word Vice can be used in place of the word Versus but, unfortunately, those justifications will be wrong. I'm not trying to stir up shit here but words mean things and the correct usage will get you much farther in terms of people listening to you like you know what you're talking about than improper use will.
Please enlighten me as to where/how this improper turn of phrase has become prevalent in the AR/Firearm world.
[Flame-Retardant suit on]