Meaning of Idem (What is, Concept and Definition)

What is Idem:

The word idem is a pronoun that comes from Latin, and that in Spanish means 'the same' or 'the same'.Its abbreviation is id.

Idem is used to avoid repeating a word or information given above.Basically, the idem expression provides economy of language and prevents redundancies or unnecessary repetitions.

Because it is a cultism , its use is more frequent in written texts, mainly those of an academic type, such as monographs, theses, essays or scientific articles.In this type of work, the word is used especially for citations and bibliographic references reiteratives.

The expression idem can also be used in a account or list , to indicate that an article is the same as the previous one.One way to indicate it is by using the idem sign , consisting of two quotes English (") that replace the word or expression in question.

We can also use the word idem in an informal conversation to point out that we fully agree on a point with another person.For example:

-I went out without an umbrella because it was sunny.

-Idem.My umbrella is at home and I'm soaked here.

The word idem became very popular in 1990, thanks to the then blockbuster movie Ghost: the shadow of a love , starring Demi Moore (Molly) and Patrick Swayze (Sam).In this movie, whenever Molly tells Sam "I love you," he replies "Idem." At the end of the story, she will use that expression to correspond to Sam his declaration of love.

Use of Idem in traditional bibliographic references

Idem is mainly used in bibliographic notes or references, when you want to point out that the source cited is the same as above.It can also be used to indicate that a work has the same author as the previous work.

In traditional methods, idem is usually located at the bottom of the page.For example, in a succession of notes:

1.-Carlos Colmenares, Essential manual of diseases or mental disorders , Madrid, Editorial Psicologia Contemporanea, 2010, p.501.

2.- Idem , p.710.

3.- Idem , How to overcome stress in five simple steps , Madrid, Editorial Psicologia Contemporanea, 2007, p.7.

Use of Idem in APA standards

Although the APA style manual ( American Psychological Association ) originally conceived the use of idem within the body of the text, immediately after the quotation or the quoted text, the latest revisions have modified this rule.

Currently the APA standards contemplate the deletion of the idem and ibidem addresses, even when necessary I have to repeat the same reference several times.

This is due to the differences in page layout between the traditional system and the APA.In the traditional system, citation references go to the bottom of the page and are numbered , which makes it easy to find the previous reference quickly.On the other hand, in the APA system the reference is included in the body of the text, which makes its visualization difficult.

Idem in legal expressions

In Law, we will also find the expression idem in Latin phrases of conventional use in the legal field.

The phrase non bis in idem , for example, literally translates' not twice Therefore, as such, it is a maxim that means that no one can be tried twice for the same crime.

On the other hand, the expression consensus ad idem can be translate as 'the consent on the same', and refers to the consent must be reciprocal or mutual.