The Serious Mirth Society

Here beginneth a geeky language lesson:

sist: in language, a root form, from the Latin “sistere,” meaning “to stop, to check, or to cause to stand.”

The “sist” root in a word shows a person’s location, albeit metaphorically. It indicates their stance, where they stand. It is not technically related to the origins of the word sister, although this week, after this election, it seems extraordinarily related.

It is actually related to the word “position”—where you’re standing (or sitting, or lying down on the floor staring at the ceiling in existential angst). It’s where your mind is. Where your feet are.

Ironically (though again, very appropriately), “sist” is what is known as a “bound root”—it can’t stand alone. It requires a prefix to show context—like needing a second marker on a map so you can really see where you are, in relationship to something or someone.

And so, “To sist, or not to sist: that is the question.” Where are you standing? Who with? And what are you doing there?

Aspiring to be helpful, we gathered some useful words to know for the future, including some helpful examples of how to use them in a sentence (and just maybe, especially, in your life):

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as-: a form of “at” meaning to, toward
assist: literally: to stand near, next to > generally: to help
>> They assisted their friend when her life was in danger.

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con-: from “com” meaning with, together
consist: literally: to stand firm > also: to be made up of
>> They consistently assisted their friend when her life consisted of threats.

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de-: not, undo, down, away from
desist: to stop, cease from action
>> They did not desist in assisting their friend until her persecutors desisted harming her.

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ex-: out of, from
exist: (orig: ex-sist) to step out, stand forth, to have actual being of any kind
>> A woman exists as a being with her own rights and freedoms.

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in-: in, on, upon
insist: to take a stand, to stand on
>> They insisted their friend have the right to make decisions for herself.

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per-: through, entirely, utterly
persist: continue steadily and firmly, especially in spite of opposition
>> They persistently insisted that their friend have the right to make decisions for herself.

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re-: turning back, opposition
resist: to stop or hinder, to hold out against
>> They resisted opposition until their friend’s rights were restored.

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sub-: under, down
subsist: to stand firm, to stay, to hold true, to exist > also: to have the necessities of life, to nourish oneself
>> A woman’s right to make her own decisions should subsist throughout her entire life.

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Here endeth the geeky language lesson. We hope it’s been helpful.

Resist! Persist! Exist! Insist!