Morgans wrote:
"Charles K. Scott" wrote


When I transcribed the article originally, I put the (sic) in at that
point to denote that "a" is incorrect grammar in that sentence.


What does the (sic) stand for? I have seen it, and understand what it is
trying to do, but never have heard what the root of the meaning is.

Always wondered. Thanks for making me look.
From UrbanDictionary.com:

Square brackets are most commonly used around the word 'sic' (from the
Latin 'sicut', meaning 'just as'), to explain the status of an apparent
mistake. Generally, sic means the foregoing mistake (or apparent
mistake) was made by the writer/speaker I am quoting; I am but the
faithful messenger; in fact I never get anything wrong myself.

And from reference.com:
When found in a French document, (sic) stands for "Sans Intention
Comique" (without comic intention) meaning that even if the preceding
text could be understood as funny, it was not meant to be (analogous to
"no pun intended" in English).