Around here, Wednesdays aren't just Wednesdays. They're Words Days.
My Wednesday posts are devoted to all things wordy - grammar, etymology, writing, the works.
If it involves language, I'll be talking about it here.
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My Wednesday posts are devoted to all things wordy - grammar, etymology, writing, the works.
If it involves language, I'll be talking about it here.
*****
WRITING TIP #4 - MAKE FRIENDS WITH A DICTIONARY
Apparently it was National Dictionary Day in the States earlier this month, and since we don't recognize a similar day here in Canada, I'm using it as an excuse to write this post. I think dictionaries should be celebrated and revered every day, but then, as you know, I'm a nerd when it comes to words.
I feel that too many people think of a dictionary as a crutch that they don't need, which inevitably gets them into trouble. I've done a lot of copy-editing in my time, and I've seen many otherwise talented writers embarrass themselves by using words incorrectly, which is so unnecessary. There should be no shame in using a dictionary - no one can be expected to know ALL of the words.
Apparently it was National Dictionary Day in the States earlier this month, and since we don't recognize a similar day here in Canada, I'm using it as an excuse to write this post. I think dictionaries should be celebrated and revered every day, but then, as you know, I'm a nerd when it comes to words.
I feel that too many people think of a dictionary as a crutch that they don't need, which inevitably gets them into trouble. I've done a lot of copy-editing in my time, and I've seen many otherwise talented writers embarrass themselves by using words incorrectly, which is so unnecessary. There should be no shame in using a dictionary - no one can be expected to know ALL of the words.
I refer to dictionaries, both online and in print, all the time. There are certain words that are perennial stumpers for me - for some reason, I can never remember the difference between "compliment" and "complement," for instance. Other words come to me as I'm writing and set off an alarm bell signalling that I'm not entirely sure I'm using them correctly. I'd say my track record is about 50/50, so you can imagine how many times I might have embarrassed myself if I hadn't consulted a dictionary.
I also try to flex my brain every weekday when I post a new-to-me word from my Canadian Oxford dictionary as my Word of the Day on Twitter. (I repost them here on the blog as part of my weekly Friday Footnotes feature.) I guarantee that if you ever decide to start a similar practice, you'll be surprised by how many words you DON'T know.
So whether it's Dictionary.com or a tattered old copy of Merriam-Webster, make friends with a dictionary and refer to it often. At the very least, you'll confirm something you already knew, and you might just learn something you didn't - either way, it's a win.
Some Trivia:
I also try to flex my brain every weekday when I post a new-to-me word from my Canadian Oxford dictionary as my Word of the Day on Twitter. (I repost them here on the blog as part of my weekly Friday Footnotes feature.) I guarantee that if you ever decide to start a similar practice, you'll be surprised by how many words you DON'T know.
So whether it's Dictionary.com or a tattered old copy of Merriam-Webster, make friends with a dictionary and refer to it often. At the very least, you'll confirm something you already knew, and you might just learn something you didn't - either way, it's a win.
Some Trivia:
- The first single-language English dictionary ever published was Robert Cawdrey's Table Alphabeticall, in 1604.
- When Samuel Johnson's History of the English Language came out in 1755, Johnson was criticized for imposing his personality on to the book. His definition of oats, for instance, makes a rude reference to the Scots. He defines the word as 'A Grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people.'
- The proposed size for the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) first edition, completed in 1928, was four volumes. It's actual size was 10 volumes.
- The proposed time to complete the OED first edition was 10 years. In actuality, it took 70 years.
- The first CD-ROM version of the OED appeared in 1992.
- The printed OED in a 20-volume set, purchased new, is $995 US and weighs around 150 pounds.
- There are close to 600,000 definitions in the current OED.
- The word with the most definitions in the current OED is run.
- Ammon Shea read the entire OED in one year, and wrote a book about it, entitled Reading the OED: One Man, One Year, 21,730 pages.