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Author:

Stamper, Kory, author.

Title:

Word by word : the secret life of dictionaries / Kory Stamper.

Publisher:

Pantheon Books,

Copyright Date:

2017

Description:

pages cm

Subject:

Lexicography--History.
Encyclopedias and dictionaries--History and criticism.
Lexicographers--Biography.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references and index.

Summary:

"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"-- Provided by publisher.

ISBN:

110187094X (hardback)
9781101870945 (hardback)

OCLC:

(OCoLC)956775014

LCCN:

2016024253

Locations:

BRPD251 -- Adel Public Library (Adel)

BOPG851 -- Ames Public Library (Ames)

USUX851 -- Iowa State University - Parks Library (Ames)

UQAX771 -- Des Moines Area Community College Library - Ankeny (Ankeny)

GBPF771 -- Ankeny Kirkendall Public Library (Ankeny)

FYPI314 -- Dubuque County Library - Asbury Branch (Asbury)

XWPC787 -- Avoca Public Library (Avoca)

TCPG826 -- Bettendorf Public Library Information Center (Bettendorf)

YSPD232 -- Camanche Public Library (Camanche)

UNUX074 -- University of Northern Iowa - Rod Library (Cedar Falls)

CEAX572 -- Kirkwood Community College Library (Cedar Rapids)

NJPD993 -- Clarion Public Library (Clarion)

DBPE173 -- Clear Lake Public Library (Clear Lake)

OOAX232 -- Clinton Community College Library (Clinton)

CDPF771 -- Clive Public Library (Clive)

CBPF522 -- Coralville Public Library (Coralville)

TDPH826 -- Davenport Public Library (Davenport)

PLAX964 -- Luther College - Preus Library (Decorah)

BAPH771 -- Des Moines Public Library (Des Moines)

FXPH314 -- Carnegie-Stout Public Library (Dubuque)

TFPI826 -- Scott County Library System (Eldridge)

N2AX314 -- Divine Word College - Matthew Jacoby Library (Epworth)

MXPG943 -- Fort Dodge Public Library (Fort Dodge)

HNPC845 -- Hawarden Public Library (Hawarden)

SOAX911 -- Simpson College - Dunn Library (Indianola)

CAPH522 -- Iowa City Public Library (Iowa City)

S1PD771 -- Johnston Public Library (Johnston)

CPPC926 -- Kalona Public Library (Kalona)

YEPF572 -- Marion Public Library (Marion)

GOPG641 -- Marshalltown Public Library (Marshalltown)

IBAX173 -- North Iowa Area Community College Library (Mason City)

KWPE446 -- Mount Pleasant Public Library (Mount Pleasant)

KOPC446 -- H.J. Nugen Public Library (New London)

GUPF501 -- Newton Public Library (Newton)

AAPF906 -- Ottumwa Public Library (Ottumwa)

GZPE631 -- Pella Public Library (Pella)

GAAX314 -- Northeast Iowa Community College Library - Peosta (Peosta)

GMPD771 -- Pleasant Hill Public Library (Pleasant Hill)

ESPD725 -- Sibley Public Library (Sibley)

OUAX845 -- Dordt University (Sioux Center)

LAPH975 -- Sioux City Public Library (Sioux City)

WXPD305 -- Spirit Lake Public Library (Spirit Lake)

GDPF771 -- Urbandale Public Library (Urbandale)

SFPH074 -- Waterloo Public Library (Waterloo)

DPPE403 -- Kendall Young Library (Webster City)