Origin:
* "Vice" comes from the Latin word *vice*, meaning "in place of" or "instead of."
* "Versa" is the past participle of the Latin verb *vertere*, meaning "to turn."
Evolution:
* The phrase originally appeared in Latin as *vice versa*.
* It was adopted into English in the 16th century, initially written as "vice versâ" or "vice versa."
* The modern spelling "vice versa" became standard in the 19th century.
Meaning:
"Vice versa" is used to indicate that something can be said or done in the opposite way. It implies a reciprocal relationship or an interchangeable order.
Example:
"The cat chased the mouse, or vice versa." This sentence suggests that it's also possible for the mouse to chase the cat.