Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing The fight for the modern dictionary, with Stefan Fatsis
Oct 9, 2025
Join journalist and author Stefan Fatsis as he shares insights from his book, "Unabridged." Stefan discusses his unique experience embedded at Merriam-Webster, revealing the contrast between its vintage 1940s headquarters and the modern digital landscape. He tackles the challenge of updating old definitions while incorporating trendy new words, and highlights the impact of the internet on dictionary use. With a nod to the legacy of lexicographer Philip Gove and the ongoing threats from AI and Google, Stefan emphasizes the importance of engaging with dictionary sites to keep them relevant.
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Unexpected Meaning Of Pom-Pom Girl
- Stefan Fatsis discovered Merriam-Webster's unabridged defined "pom-pom girl" as "pick-up prostitute," not cheerleader.
- He spent weeks in archives researching a modern definition that ultimately didn't make the revision.
Basement Archives As A Lexicographic Treasure
- Fatsis spent nearly three years commuting to Merriam-Webster and exploring its 1940s brick headquarters and archives.
- He describes the basement and consolidated slips as a multisensory, nostalgic lexicographic treasure hunt.
New Words Drive Publicity, Old Words Drive Traffic
- New words generate publicity and clicks, which help dictionary sites survive in the digital era.
- But the majority of lookups remain for established, hard-to-understand words that drive sustained traffic.
