I wondered about this: (so I looked it up! )

Main Entry: stance
Pronunciation: 'stan(t)s
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French estance position, posture, stay, from (assumed) Vulgar Latin stantia, from Latin stant-, stans, present participle of stare to stand
Date: 14th century
1 chiefly Scottish a : STATION b : SITE
2 a : a way of standing or being placed : POSTURE b : intellectual or emotional attitude <took an antiwar stance>
3 a : the position of the feet of a golfer or batter preparatory to making a swing b : the position of both body and feet from which an athlete starts or operates


so, perhaps his friends stand with him.

formerly known as etaoin...