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Word by word
336 pages
A joyful, irreverent romp through the obsessive and surprisingly messy world of dictionary-making.
What it feels like
Reading this book feels like pulling up a chair next to the smartest, funniest coworker in a highly eccentric office. It is a brisk, cheerful immersion into the obsessive world of lexicography, where the definition of a single preposition can take months of agonizing debate. The narrative balances erudite linguistic history with wry, self-deprecating humor, creating a mood that is both intellectually stimulating and surprisingly cozy. You will find yourself swept up in the author's infectious enthusiasm for the messy, ever-evolving nature of English. It is a perfect match for word nerds, recovering grammar snobs, and anyone who delights in passionate deep-dives into hidden professions, leaving you with a profound new respect for the dictionary on your desk.
- Mood
- intellectually stimulating
- cheerful
- cozy
- obsessive
- Tone
- wry
- irreverent
- enthusiastic
- erudite
- self-deprecating
- Pace
- brisk
- Themes
- the fluidity of language · hidden labor · embracing linguistic evolution · the joy of pedantry · workplace quirks
- The writing
- Sharp, conversational, and delightfully witty, brimming with a palpable love for the exact right word.
- The arc
- Begins with a curious peek behind the lexicographical curtain and builds into a profound, joyful appreciation for the messy, living nature of English.
- Who it's for
- Word nerds, recovering grammar snobs, and anyone who loves a passionate deep-dive into a highly niche, obsessive profession.
About the book
"Brimming with intelligence and personality, a vastly entertaining account of how dictionaries are made - a must read for word mavens. Have you ever tried to define the word "is?" Do you have strong feelings about the word (and, yes, it is a word) "irregardless?" Did you know that OMG was first used in 1917, in a letter to Winston Churchill? These are the questions that keep lexicographers up at night. While most of us might take dictionaries for granted, the process of writing dictionaries is in fact as lively and dynamic as language itself. With sharp wit and irreverence, Kory Stamper cracks open the complex, obsessive world of lexicography, from the agonizing decisions about what and how to define, to the knotty questions of usage in an ever-changing language. She explains why the small words are the most difficult to define, how it can take nine months to define a single word, and how our biases about language and pronunciation can have tremendous social influence. Throughout Stamper brings to life the hallowed halls (and highly idiosyncratic cubicles) of Merriam-Webster, a surprisingly rich world inhabited by quirky and erudite individuals who quietly shape the way we communicate. A sure delight for all lovers of words, Harmless Drudges will also improve readers' grasp and use of the English language"--
Description from Open Library.
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