A review by ianacook
Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries by Kory Stamper

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.