Pronunciation: [stˈɛts] (IPA) 
The word "STETS" is pronounced /stɛts/. It is commonly spelled with an "S" and not a "Z" as its origin is German where the letter "Z" is rarely used. The word is actually in the third-person singular present indicative form of the verb "Stetzen," which means "to stand firm" or "to remain." In English, "STETS" is used in proofreading to indicate that a marked correction should be ignored and the original text retained.
STETS is a verb that originated from the Latin word "stare," meaning "to stand." It is predominantly used as an editorial mark or instruction made in written or printed text. In the context of this definition, "stet" or "stets" is an abbreviation derived from the Latin phrase "stet litera," which translates to "let it stand" in English. It is often used by editors or proofreaders to indicate that a previously marked correction should be disregarded and the original text should be retained as it appears.
When editing a manuscript or typescript, an editor might recommend changes to the text, such as deleting or altering specific words, phrases, or punctuation. However, there may be instances where the author or publisher disagrees with these suggested revisions and wishes to revert to the original wording or formatting. In such cases, the editor or author may choose to mark the correction with "stet" or "stets" to signify that the original text should be reinstated, effectively cancelling out the proposed alteration.
The use of "stets" in editorial work is crucial to maintain the author's intended meaning and style, ensuring that the final published work aligns with the author's vision. It serves as a practical tool to maintain accuracy and integrity, particularly in cases where changes suggested by others may interfere with the author's voice and intent. Through the utilization of "stets," the editor or author can effectively communicate their decision to retain the original text or formatting, thus preserving creative control and authorial authority.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
