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Vice-versa

Meaning

The reverse of the previous statement, with the main items transposed. It derives from Latin, with the translation being 'the other way round' or 'the position being reversed', but is now fully absorbed into English.

It is usually used to imply the complement of a statement without expressing as much in words. For example:

"Fish can't live where we are most comfortable, and vice-versa".

Often mispronounced, as vie-sa ver-sa, and consequently misspelt as visa versa. It should be pronounced vie-si ver-sa.

Origin

It is found in print quite early, as in Anthony Copley's An answere to a letter of a Jesuited gentleman by his cousin, 1601:

"They are like to bee put to such a penance and the Arch-Priests vice-versa to be suspended and attained as Schismaticall."

A similar term, 'arsy versy', has now become archaic. For example, from Richard Taverner's Prouerbes or adagies with newe addicions, gathered out of the Chiliades of Erasmus, 1539:

"Ye set the cart before the horse - cleane contrarily and arsy versy as they say."

See also - Latin Phrases in English.