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{{Short description|Indicates an intentional reproduction in quotation}}
{{Other uses|SIC (disambiguation)}}
{{Italic title}}
{{Wiktionary pipe|sic#Etymology 1|sic}}
[[File:Example_use_of_sic.png | thumb | 440x248px | right | Example of "sic" being used after a word in a quotation or passage, to indicate that the quoted matter has been transcribed or translated exactly as found in the original. Example is from a United States Supreme Court case, ''Briggs v. Connecticut'', {{ussc|447|912|1980}}.]]

The [[Latin]] [[adverb]] '''''sic''''' ({{IPAc-en|s|ɪ|k}}; ''thus'', ''so'', and ''in this manner'') inserted after a quotation indicates that the quoted matter has been transcribed or translated as found in the original source, including erroneous, archaic, or unusual spelling, [[punctuation]], and [[grammar]]. ''Sic'' also applies to any surprising assertion, faulty reasoning, or other matter that might otherwise be interpreted as an [[Transcription error|error of transcription]].

The typical editorial usage of ''sic'' is to inform the reader that any errors in a quotation did not arise from editorial errors in the transcription, but are intentionally reproduced as they appear in the original source being quoted; thus, ''sic'' is placed inside [[Bracket#Square brackets|brackets]] to indicate it is not part of the quotation. ''Sic'' can also be used derisively to direct the reader's attention to the writer's spelling mistakes and erroneous logic, or to show disapproval of the content or form of the material.<ref name=garner2001/>

==Etymology and historical usage==
In the English language, the Latin adverb {{lang|la|sic}} is used as an adverb, and derivatively as a noun and as a verb.<ref name=oed1989>"sic, adv. (and n.)" ''Oxford English Dictionary'', Second Edition 1989. [[Oxford University Press]]</ref> The [[adverb]] ''sic'', meaning 'intentionally so written', first appeared in English {{circa|1856}}.<ref name="webster2003">{{sup|3}}sic. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=OwCyCvI8mokC&pg=RA1-PA1156 Merriam-Webster's collegiate dictionary]''. Merriam-Webster, 2003. {{ISBN|0-87779-809-5}}, {{ISBN|978-0-87779-809-5}}. (p.1156)</ref> It is derived from the [[Latin]] adverb {{lang|la|sīc}}, which means 'so', 'thus', 'in this manner'.<ref>Cassell's Latin Dictionary</ref> According to the ''[[Oxford English Dictionary]]'', the verbal form of ''sic'', meaning 'to mark with a ''sic''', emerged in 1889, [[E. Belfort Bax]]{{'s}} work in ''The Ethics of Socialism'' being an early example.<ref>"sic, adv. (and n.)" ''Oxford English Dictionary'', Second Edition 1989. Oxford University Press; see also E. Belfort Bax. [http://www.marxists.org/archive/bax/1887/05/modcant.htm "On Some Forms of Modern Cant"]. Commonweal: 7 May 1887. Marxists' Internet Archive: 14 Jan. 2006</ref>

===Folk etymologies===
On occasion, ''sic'' has been misidentified as an [[acronym]]<ref>e.g. {{Cite web|url=http://acronyms.thefreedictionary.com/sic |title=Thefreedictionary.com |access-date=2014-04-10 }}</ref> (and therefore sometimes misspelled with periods): ''s.i.c.'' is said to stand for "spelled/said in copy/context", "spelling is correct", "spelled incorrectly", and other such [[folk etymology]] phrases. These are all incorrect and are simply [[backronym]]s from ''sic''.

==Modern usage==
Use of ''sic'' greatly increased in the mid-20th century.<ref name=garner2000>[[Bryan A. Garner]]. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=z_VmtjAU01YC&pg=PA305 The Oxford dictionary of American usage and style]''. Oxford University Press US, 2000. {{ISBN|0-19-513508-3}}, {{ISBN|978-0-19-513508-4}}</ref> For example, in [[United States]] state-court opinions before 1944, ''sic'' appeared 1,239 times in the [[Westlaw]] database; in those from 1945 to 1990, it appeared 69,168 times, over 55 times as many.<ref name=garner2001>{{cite book |first=Bryan A. |last=Garner |chapter=sic |url=https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofmode00garn_0 |url-access=registration |title=A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage |edition=2nd |publisher=Oxford University Press |location=US |year=2001 |isbn=978-0-19-514236-5 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/dictionaryofmode00garn_0/page/806 806]–807}}</ref> Its use as a form of ridicule has been cited as a major factor in this increase.<ref name=garner2001/> The immoderate use of ''sic'' has created some controversy, leading some editors, including bibliographical scholar Simon Nowell-Smith and literary critic [[Leon Edel]], to speak out against it.<ref>[[Leon Edel]]{{'s}} "Introduction" to ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=ULO6DKBMY-4C&q=%22among+scholars+the+discussion%22+OR+%22bracketed+sic%22&pg=PR35 Henry James Letters]'' (Volume 1, 1843{{spaced ndash}}1875). Harvard University Press, 1974. {{ISBN|0-674-38780-5}}, {{ISBN|978-0-674-38780-5}}</ref>

===Conventional use===
The bracketed form [''sic''] is most often inserted into quoted or reprinted material to indicate meticulous accuracy in reproducing the preceding text, despite appearances to the reader of an incorrect or unusual [[orthography]] ([[spelling]], [[punctuation]], grammar, syntax, fact, logic, etc.).<ref name=garner2001/><ref name=usd2009>"[https://web.archive.org/web/20100712020347/http://sunburst.usd.edu/~rring/History-Writing-Guide.pdf Grammar and Style]." ''USD History Guide for Writing Research Papers''. Department of History, University of South Dakota. 6/12/2009</ref> Several usage guides recommend that a bracketed ''sic'' be used primarily as an aid to the reader, not as an indicator of disagreement with the source.<ref name=garner2001/><ref name=coyle2009>{{cite book |author=William Coyle and Joe Law |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=yKliWm106S8C&pg=PA72 |title=Research Papers |publisher=Cengage Learning |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-547-19081-5 |page=72}}</ref>

===Use to denote archaisms and dialect===
''Sic'' may show that an uncommon or [[Archaism|archaic]] expression is reported faithfully,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carillo |first=Jose A. |date=March 6, 2010 |title=The role of the bracketed 'sic' in English prose |url=https://www.manilatimes.net/2010/03/06/opinion/columnists/the-role-of-the-bracketed-sic-in-english-prose/645913 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |website=[[The Manila Times]]|archive-date=Jun 28, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628100344/https://www.manilatimes.net/2010/03/06/opinion/columnists/the-role-of-the-bracketed-sic-in-english-prose/645913}}</ref> such as when quoting the [[U.S. Constitution]]: "The House of Representatives shall {{sic|nolink=y|chuse|expected=choose}} their Speaker ..."<!-- Note that the spelling "chuse" is the point of this quotation—do not correct it to "choose" --> However, several writing guidebooks discourage its use with regard to dialect, such as in cases of [[American and British English spelling differences]].<ref name=garner2000/><ref name=coyle2009/><ref>{{cite web |first=Donald |last=Remero |url=http://www.irosetta.com/questions/307/quoting-british-american-english |title=Quoting British / American English |publisher=ieosetta.com |date=May 9, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101013230140/http://www.irosetta.com/questions/307/quoting-british-american-english |archive-date=October 13, 2010 }}</ref> The appearance of a bracketed ''sic'' after the word ''[[wikt:analyse|analyse]]'' in a book review led [[Bryan A. Garner]] to comment, "all the quoter (or overzealous editor) demonstrated was ignorance of British usage".<ref name=garner2001/>

===Ironic use===
{{See also|Scare quotes}}
Occasionally a writer places [''sic''] after their own words, to indicate that the language has been chosen deliberately for special effect, especially where the writer's ironic meaning may otherwise be unclear.<ref name="fowler1929">H. W. Fowler (2001) ''A Dictionary of Modern English Usage''. Oxford : Oxford University Press, p. [[iarchive:dictionaryofmode00garn 0/page/807|807.]] {{ISBN|978-0-19-953534-7}}</ref> [[Bryan A. Garner]] dubbed this use of ''sic'' "ironic", providing the following example from [[Fred Rodell]]{{'s}} 1955 book ''Nine Men'':<ref name=garner2001/>
{{blockquote|[I]n 1951, it was the blessing bestowed on Judge [[Harold Medina]]'s ''prosecution'' <!--sic is from source, not added for Wikipedia; italics of prosecution also from source-->[''sic''] of the eleven so-called 'top native Communists,' which blessing meant giving the Smith Act the judicial nod of constitutionality.}}

==Formatting==
Where ''sic'' follows the quotation, it takes [[bracket]]s: [''sic''].<ref name="Jessen">{{cite book | first=Edward W. | last=Jessen | url=http://www.sdap.org/downloads/Style-Manual.pdf | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728005924/http://www.sdap.org/downloads/Style-Manual.pdf | archive-date=2011-07-28 | title=California Manual of Style: A Handbook of Legal Style for California Courts and Lawyers | year=2000 | pages=132–133 |access-date=2015-08-10| edition=4th }}</ref> The word ''sic'' is often treated as a [[loanword]] that does not require italics, and the style manuals of New Zealand, Australian and British media outlets generally do not require italicisation.<ref name=coyle2009/> However, italicization is common in the United States, where authorities including ''[[APA Style]]'' insist upon it.<ref>{{cite web|title=''Parentheses, Ellipses, and Brackets''|url=http://www.jccc.edu/files/pdf/writing-center/parentheses-ellipses-etc.pdf|website=Writing Center|publisher=Johnson County Community College|access-date=19 November 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120831214851/http://www.jccc.edu/files/pdf/writing-center/parentheses-ellipses-etc.pdf|archive-date=2012-08-31|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Because ''sic'' is not an abbreviation, placing a [[full stop]]/period inside the brackets after the word ''sic'' is erroneous,<ref>''[http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/quotations.html Quotations]''. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110902224424/http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/quotations.html |date=2011-09-02 }}. The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Accessed: October 2, 2010</ref><ref name="cgsau">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/columbiaguidetos00wils_0 |url-access=registration |page=[https://archive.org/details/columbiaguidetos00wils_0/page/395 395] |chapter=sic (adv.) |title=The Columbia Guide to Standard American English|first=Kenneth G. |last=Wilson |publisher=[[Columbia University Press]] |year=1993 |isbn=9780231069885 |access-date=2009-11-03}}</ref> although the California Style Manual suggests styling it as a parenthetical sentence only when used after a complete sentence, like so: (''Sic.'')<ref name="Jessen"/>

==Alternatives==

===Replacement===
Some guides, including ''[[The Chicago Manual of Style]]'', recommend "quiet [[copy-editing]]" (unless where inappropriate or uncertain) instead of inserting a bracketed ''sic'', such as by substituting in brackets the correct word in place of the incorrect word or by simply replacing an incorrect spelling with the correct one.<ref name="garner2001" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Style Q&A: Quotations and Dialogue |url=https://www.chicagomanualofstyle.org/qanda/data/faq/topics/Quotations.html |website=The Chicago Manual of Style Online |access-date=28 September 2018 |quote=In paragraph 13.7, in the section on permissible changes to quotations, ''CMOS'' says, ‘Obvious typographic errors may be corrected silently (without comment or ''sic'') unless the passage quoted is from an older work or a manuscript source where idiosyncrasies of spelling are generally preserved.’}}</ref>

===''Recte''===

Alternatively, to show both the original and the suggested correction (as they often are in [[palaeography]]), one may give the actual form, followed by ''recte'', then the correct form, in brackets. The Latin adverb ''recte'' means ''rightly''.<ref>Janet Fairweather. ''[https://books.google.com/books?id=fh5OozghywIC&q=%22to+correct+factual+inaccuracies%22&pg=PR29 Liber Eliensis]''. Boydell Press, 2005. {{ISBN|1-84383-015-9}}, {{ISBN|978-1-84383-015-3}}. (p. xxix)</ref> <!--There appear to be no widely used style guides of sufficient detail avoid mild [[Wikipedia:SYNTHESIS]] regarding the use of ''recte'' on the Internet. Nonetheless, there are so many [http://www.google.com/search?source=ig&hl=en&rlz=&q=%22sic+recte%22&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=Cze1sDfCnTIa6EIzmNL-RiTYAAACqBAVP0AaJ0g online examples of its use] that I feel we can [[WP:IAR|ignore the rule in order to improve the article]].-->
{{blockquote|An Iraqi battalion has consumed <!--recte not in source-->[''recte'' assumed] control of the former American military base, and our forces are now about 40 minutes outside the city.}}
According to the ''Journal of Seventeenth-Century Music Style Sheet'', there should be no punctuation, for example no colon, before the correct form when using ''recte''.<ref>Bruce Gustafson. ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20090929104108/http://sscm-jscm.press.illinois.edu/jscm_sty.pdf JSCM Style Sheet]''. Journal of Seventeenth-Century Music, 2 January 2010.</ref>

===Read===

A third alternative is to follow an error with ''sic'', a comma or colon, "read", and the correct reading, all within square brackets, as in the following example:
{{blockquote|Item 26 - 'Plan of space alongside Evinghews [sic: read Evening News] Printing Works and overlooked by St. Giles House University Hall', [Edinburgh]<ref>{{cite web|title=Item 26 – 'Plan of space alongside Evinghews [sic: read Evening News] Printing Works and overlooked by St. Giles House University Hall', [Edinburgh]|url=http://strathclyde.ica-atom.org/plan-of-space-alongside-evinghews-sic-read-evening-news-printing-works-and-overlooked-by-st-giles-house-university-hall|website=University of Strathclyde Archives|access-date=19 November 2014}}</ref>}}

==See also==

{{Div col|colwidth=20em}}
* [[Dictated but not read]]
* [[Evidentiality]]
* [[Irony punctuation]]
* [[List of Latin phrases]]
* [[Qere and Ketiv]]
* [[Scare quotes]]
* [[viz.]]
{{Div col end}}

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

[[Category:Latin words and phrases]]