This doesnt mean its a light book, but it certainly was a pleasure to read. Word by word by kory stamper penguin books new zealand. The lexicographer kory stamper of merriamwebster, inc. Robin lubbock wbur this article is more than 3 years old. With wit and irreverence, lexicographer kory stamper cracks open the obsessive. Its one of the reasons she was inspired to write her new book, word by.
Word by word by kory stamper, 9781101970263, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Do you have strong feelings about the word irregardless. The book s subtitlethe secret life of dictionariesaptly sums up what youre. In word by word, she provides an unruffled and selfdeprecating behindthescenes look at the work that the great samuel. But behind every dictionary definition is a lexicographer, and its their curious, somewhat strange world thats lovingly uncovered in kory stamper s word by word. Word by word we think of english as a fortress to be defended, but a better analogy is to think of english as a child. The secret life of dictionaries gives readers a behindthescenes look at one of. We think of english as a fortress to be defended, but a better analogy is to think of english as a child, writes kory stamper in her witty and surprising new book, word by word. Yes, a book with the subtitle of the secret life of dictionaries may. It is perhaps unsurprising, given her line of work, that stamper employs words with.
Her book is a nittygritty, downanddirty, wormseye view of lexicography. Five years ago, for instance, merriamwebster added the term fbomb to its pages an. They spend their time reading, writing, and synthesizing the words we use, eschew, and transform. Former merriam webster lexicographer kory stamper provides an inside look into the writing of dictionaries. Merriamwebster word nerd kory stamper s first book is part memoir and part insiders view of how dictionaries are made. There are only some fifty fulltime lexicographers in the u. Kory stamper is a lexicographer, a person who researches words and writes dictionaries, at merriamwebster. She blogs regularly on language and lexicography at. In word by word, one merriamwebster editor deconstructs. Audio book sample courtesy of penguin random house audio. The secret life of dictionaries, is an eloquent defense of a live and let live. A journey into the merriamwebster word factory the new. The secret life of dictionaries by kory stamper online at alibris. Merriamwebster lexicographer kory stamper gives a behindthe.
With wit and irreverence, lexicographer kory stamper cracks open the obsessive world of dictionary writing, from the agonizing decisions about what to define and how to do it to the knotty questions of everchanging word usage. Pinehurst, nc the english speaking union closed event a very brief history of. I found my local library and started, i would just start pulling books at random. Kory stamper is a lexicographer who spent almost two decades writing dictionaries at merriamwebster. Lexicographer kory stamper shares her favorite words. We dress it in fancy clothes and tell it to behave, and it comes home with its underwear on its head and wearing someone elses socks.
Kory stamper reveals the secret life of dictionaries in her book word by word, and in a visit to headquarters oddities in the basement included. The secret life of dictionaries by kory stamper, who spent almost two decades writing dictionaries at merriam webster, is a mustread for all those interested in the english language. Kory stamper describes herself as a word nerd and socially awkward, but word by word had me laughing and thinking and wanting to read passages aloud. As english grows, it lives its own life, and this is right and healthy. Kory stamper is a lexicographer at merriamwebster, where she also writes, edits, and appears in the ask the editor video series. The secret life of dictionaries, is an eloquent defense of a live and let live approach to english. We think of english as a fortress to be defended, but a better analogy is to think of english as a. Word by word by kory stamper is a nonfiction book about dictionaries. Her writing has appeared in the guardian, the new york times, new york magazine, and the washington post, and she blogs regularly on language and lexicography at. This wonderfully entertaining and informative book is a must read for any lover of words and dictionaries. The secret life of dictionaries when a lexicographer says unless in the middle of defining, you should turn out the lights and go home, first making sure youve left them a supply of water and enough nonperishable food to last several days.
The secret life of dictionaries word by word by kory stamper word by word 2017 is about an object, and its associated profession, for which people rarely spare a thought. Another fun aspect to this book is the languagestamper is obviously familiar with lots of lesserknown words, so she sprinkles them throughout. Kory stamper brimming with intelligence and personality, a vastly entertaining account of how dictionaries are made a must read for word mavens. Kory stamper is a lexicographer and former associate editor for the merriamwebster family of dictionaries. Kory stamper, a lexicographer for merriamwebster, disproves this idea from the very first words on the page of her book word by word. With wit and irreverence, lexicographer kory stamper cracks open the obsessive world of dictionary writing, from the agonizing decisions about. These drudges at their desks practiced a noble art, part creative process, part science.
It is perhaps unsurprising, given her line of work, that stamper employs words with delightful precision in her writing. Word by word is an eloquent primer on this baffling, lovely language we use, and stamper is our wryly funny tour guide. Find out where you can see me read, hear me blab, or get your copy of word by word signed. Kory stamper is a lexicographer that is, a writer and editor of dictionaries at merriamwebster the dictionary. She has written and appeared in the ask the editor video series at merriamwebster, and has traveled around the world giving talks and lectures on. These are just some of the questions merriamwebster editor kory stamper has to field when she tells people about her job.
As english grows, it lives its own live, and this is right and healthy. Word by word by kory stamper, 9781101870945, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide. Stamper is a lexicographer at merriamwebster, americas oldest dictionary. Five years ago, for instance, merriamwebster added the term fbomb to its pages an addition that reflected, stamper says, the terms widespread. Word by word makes the surprisingly convincing case for. Lexicography is not sexy, but in this spirited book about the science and art of making dictionaries, it is by turns amusing, frustrating, surprising, and above all, engrossing. The lexicographer kory stampers new book, word by word. Recorded march 27, 2017 a lexicographer for the merriamwebster dictionary, kory stamper discusses the subtleties of the english language in. Along with other word nerds, stamper writes and edits dictionary definitions, thinks deeply about adverbs, and slowly, inexorably goes blind. No silly slide presentations unless explicitly noted, sorry. Lewis lapham talks with kory stamper, lexicographer at merriamwebster and the author of word by word. I grew up the eldest, bookloving child of a bluecollar family that was not particularly.
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