sitcom
UK[ˈsɪtkɒm]US[ˈsɪtkɑːm]
n
A type of television or radio comedy series that features a regular cast of characters in a recurring setting, typically involving humorous situations from everyday life.
Morpheme Breakdown
sit
com
sit
situation
com
comedy
Etymology
The word "sitcom" is a modern portmanteau, a blend of two clipped forms: "sit" from "situation" and "com" from "comedy". It emerged in the mid-20th century alongside the rise of the broadcast genre it describes. The term efficiently encapsulates the formula of these shows: a fixed "situation" or setting providing the framework for a series of comic episodes. This lexical creation follows a common pattern in English for forming concise, catchy names for new cultural phenomena, directly linking the literal components to the program's defining characteristics.
Analysis
Structure: sit (situation) + com (comedy)
- sit: A clipping of the word "situation". Origin: Latin situs (position, site). Role: Abbreviated root conveying the core concept of a set of circumstances.
- com: A clipping of the word "comedy". Origin: Greek kōmōidia (revel, comedy). Role: Abbreviated root specifying the genre.
Examples
That classic sitcom is still popular in reruns decades after it first aired.
The network is looking to develop a new family sitcom for its fall lineup.
The humor in the sitcom often comes from the characters' misunderstandings.