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How a special dictionary kept soldiers connected during WWII, with Peter Sokolowski

May 23, 2024

Peter Sokolowski, an editor at Merriam-Webster, discusses the unique Armed Services Editions published during WWII for troops. Topics include collaborative wartime publishing efforts, lasting influence on the industry, and the special features of the compact dictionary created for soldiers.

26:50

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Peter Sokolowski

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Quick takeaways

Armed Services Editions had a significant impact on post-war paperback industry.

Compact dictionaries in WWII helped soldiers maintain morale and cultural connection.

Deep dives

Origin of the Armed Services Dictionary

During World War II, a remarkable effort was made to provide soldiers with pocket-sized books, including dictionaries, to bring comfort and education to the troops. New York publishing houses collaborated to quickly produce these compact books, utilizing printing presses from Reader's Digest. These Armed Services Editions contained a variety of titles, including classics like The Grapes of Wrath and contemporary works. They aimed to preserve morale and culture among soldiers amidst the war.

Introduction

2min

The Creation of Armed Services Dictionary in WWII

16min

Navigating the Spelling Bee

5min

Pronunciation Challenges in Spelling Bees

5min

Details of Scripps National Spelling Bee Schedule and Broadcasting Information

4min

988. Peter Sokolowski, an editor at Merriam-Webster, goes through the fascinating history of the Armed Services Editions, a series of books published during World War II for distribution among the troops. We look at the special problems of wartime publishing, the collaborative efforts among publishers, and the lasting influence of these books on the publishing landscape.

| Edited transcript with links: https://grammar-girl.simplecast.com/episodes/sokolowski-wwii/transcript

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