01/01/2022
Research documentation techniques
in research analysis
What does (sic) mean?
I.J., Newcastle UK
"Thus". I gather the gist is "I know that is spelt wrong: it's meant to be that way". Repeating a quote which has a spelling mistake in it, for example.
Dave Higgins, Leeds UK
It's Latin for "thus".
Editors use it when citing a reference to inform a reader that the spelling or grammatical mistakes in the reference are to be attributed to the original source. Just another way of saying, "Don't blame me."
Robert del Valle, Detroit USA
It means 'so', or 'thus'. It implies that the use is wrong. Employed when quoting another and being pedantic, usualy (sic).
Jonathan, Lancaster, UK
I don't no (sic).
Huw Griffiths, Norfolk England
It means: "I know exactly how this word is spellt(sic) but I'm printing the discussion verbatim to illustrate my linguistic supremacy!"
James Knox, Manchester England
It is Latin for 'such'. It is used in prose when quoting a factual error, solecism or typo to indicate that the mistake was made in the text being quoted and not by the writer him/herself.
Stephen Buckland, Kingston upon Thames UK
Sic is Latin for So or Thus. It is used to denote that a grammatical error, mistake or specific formating in a quoted section is in the original quote and the quoted section is AS IT APPEARS in the original document. The quoting party is pointing out that they are not making an error or changing the format of the quote but are indicating that the original contianed the error or formating.
Phil Esslinger, Calgary Canada
The author has just vomited?
Dave Bush, Leamington Spa Warks
Sic transit Gloriam or "there but for the grace of God go I." It is used to reflect the errors of others by quoting them directly especially in the use of malapropisms or bad spelling.
Wilf, Puebla Mexico
It comes from the latin 'sic' meaning 'like' or 'as'. Usually it is written in quotations to indicate that a mistake is like that in the original.