The Evolution of the Dictionary

Compiling the first edition of the Oxford English Dictionary was a seventy-year endeavour that called on thousands of volunteers from all walks of life. The Dictionary People, reviewed by Daisy Hay in the LRB, is a recent attempt to track down the various characters who made the OED possible. Daisy joins Tom to discuss how contributors and their enthusiasms shaped the dictionary to this day.

Further reading on the episode page: lrb.me/dictionarypod

Learn more about the Irish Pages Press: irishpages.org/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.