Research abstract

A Great Book by a Dictionary Editor

Have you ever wondered who edits the Dictionary? A book of words requires many sets of eyes to check and balance the contents since so many people rely on dictionaries for day to day life, including teachers, students, and ordinary laymen. By Grant Barrett

Laura Lurns Last updated June 7, 2017 · 1 min read

In the podcast, A Way with Words, two logophiles (lovers of words), Martha Barnette and Grant Barrett, review a new publication by Kory Stamper, a dictionary editor at Merriam-Webster. Her book, Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries, provides an insider-look into the true wonders of being a dictionary editor.

Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries, by Merriam-Webster lexicographer Kory Stamper, is a must-read for anyone interested in language and how dictionaries are made. This is part of a complete episode.

Co-host Grant Barrett, who was once a lexicographer for Oxford University Press, shares his own experiences, connections, and reactions to Stamper’s text as they delve deeper into what sounds like a fascinating and humorous read about a career that may, at first glance, sound less than exciting. As they discuss her book, one thing becomes perfectly clear: being a lexicographer may be a more rich, fun, and rewarding career than one might expect.

Key takeaways

Word By Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries was written by Kory Stamper.
Kory Stamper is a Merriam-Webster lexicographer.
The book is about language and how dictionaries are made.

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Laura Lurns · Learning Success expert Writes about the learning brain for parents who want plain answers. Every article is grounded in current neuroscience and classroom practice.

Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries, by Merriam-Webster lexicographer Kory Stamper, is a must-read for anyone interested in language and how dictionaries are made. This is part of a complete episode.

Key takeaways

Is your child struggling in school?

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