Word up! Words have meaning, and behind every great definition is a pale, emaciated lexicographer melting away under the fire of language. What does “take” mean in “to take a nap,” and how is that “take” different from “take” in “taken aback” or “take a meeting” or “take a poop.” With sharp wit and a terrifying large vocabulary, one writer busts wide open the complex, obsessive world of lexicography. The seemingly dullest profession in the world is painted like a new branch of the Marvel universe thanks to her keen knack for honest storytelling and her passion for logophilia. In the end, three things are clear: our language is constantly changing, the people who define it are insane, and no matter how hallowed you consider its page, the dictionary is not a holy book.

The lexicographer: Kory Stamper

The book: Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries by Kory Stamper

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