Pet Bytes: Where Did "Sic ’Em!" Come From?
Pet Bytes: Where Did "Sic ’Em!" Come From?
Ever wondered why pet guardians say “sic ’em” to dogs as a command to chase or attack?
The phrase has been around since at least the 1800s, but it might surprise you to learn that it has nothing to do with the modern word sick, meaning ill. Instead, “sic” is actually a variation of the older word seek—which once meant to pursue or attack. This usage goes back to when it appeared in Beowulf, the Old English epic written over a thousand years ago!
The earliest known use of “sic ’em” as a dog command comes from Johnson J. Hooper’s 1845 book, Adventures of Captain Simon Suggs. In it, a character yells: "Sick him, Pomp!"—setting the dogs after someone with enthusiasm and colorful flair.
So next time you hear “sic ’em,” you’ll know it’s not about being sick—it’s about seeking action!