Word: sisu
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Dates: during 1940-1949
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...Finnish sisu-meaning a peculiarly Finnish brand of doggedness, capable of facing down death itself-was at work against the Allies. Last week one element of sisu affecting Finland's war position became crystal clear: Finland's instinctive hate and dread of Russia is the principal barrier to a separate peace with Russia. The presence of German troops in Finland and the fear of German reprisal are secondary to the Finns' conviction that Russia is their implacable enemy...
...Finns are not happy. But sisu enables them to say: "We have nothing worse than death to fear...
...they started churning around the Garden boards-Maki, loping along with hands held low like a cross-country runner-chesty, short-legged Greg Rice showing that he had as much sisu (fighting spirit) as any Finn. Mincing along in his pony gait, he stuck to Maki's heels, moving forward when Maki (coached by Tutor Nurmi, standing stop watch in hand in the infield) moved forward. For 31 laps the Notre Damer and the Finn were so close together that the Miraculous Medal on Rice's chest practically beat a tattoo on Maki's back...
...Finns did not despair or complain. The one thing in their country that seemed unimpaired was their sisu (in American: guts). Where the softer Liths and Latvians and Estonians had scared out cheaply, the Finns had once again proven their durability and burnished their national honor. They had incidentally made it plain to the Russians that they would be a very troublesome people to govern, and if any net gain had accrued in putting up a game but hopeless fight instead of selling out for bargain rates to begin with, this...
...eight months old) of Finnish descent tore the cover of TIME [picturing Joseph Stalin] in half as soon as the mail was brought into the house. I am wondering if this is the so-called Finnish sisu...