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daumari's review against another edition
5.0
A wonderful look into the world of lexicography, or crafting and compiling the words and definitions that comprise a dictionary (and other relevant features such as first usage origin, pronunciations, etc.) Stamper describes her job as constant reading, searching for possible new senses or examples of existing ones as citations, and that sounds like a dream job (teasing out the finer points of the verb forms of take: less so).
I've been prescriptivist in the past, but I'm coming round to the descriptive position- that dictionaries, etc. are here to log usage of a living language, not necessarily what the "right" version is (which is why irregardless, ain't, and other words have a place in the dictionary- because people use them).
I've been prescriptivist in the past, but I'm coming round to the descriptive position- that dictionaries, etc. are here to log usage of a living language, not necessarily what the "right" version is (which is why irregardless, ain't, and other words have a place in the dictionary- because people use them).
hannah_reads_sometimes's review against another edition
challenging
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
4.25
I really love when you are surprised (amazed?) by something that you haven’t really thought about before. This book helped do this for me in regards to both the English language as a whole and the dictionary. I’m not really verbose and I often have a hard time pronouncing and spelling words so I was a little hesitant to get into this one, but it was worth the trouble and time. It’s not very long but there is a lot there.
jennrocca's review against another edition
4.0
Fun and interesting. I read it sloooowly. A few pages a night. It's not a binge read but I did enjoy it.
thomas849939's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
4.0
robynedexter's review against another edition
4.0
Though it got a bit technical at times, this book was a delight. I had no idea the work that went into creating a dictionary. Stamper is sassy and a wonderful writer.
ianacook's review against another edition
5.0
This is such a phenomenal book! It really gives you a sense of the inner workings of lexicography and the goings-on at dictionaries. Despite its seemingly dry topic, the book is extremely funny and sarcastic, while at the same time some chapters (like the 9th, on bad words) read like poignant philosophical essays. But beyond that, it represents and illustrates the great love and care the unnoticed and unthanked lexicographers have for the English language and the work they do.
eandrews80's review against another edition
funny
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
4.5
This is just wonderful. Stamper not only explains the history of dictionaries and the craft of lexicography in a concise and compelling way, but does so with a sly and delightful sense of humor. There's a dry paragraph here and there, but otherwise, Stamper has created a super engaging book for people who love the English language. I had never given much thought to how dictionaries are made, and while I can't say that this makes me want to be a lexicographer, it gives me a great deal of admiration for people who devote their lives to this ongoing, challenging work.
waynediane's review against another edition
5.0
If love words, books, and definitions. You will love this book!