NPR's Book of the Day 'Unabridged' explores the history of the dictionary – and why it’s in trouble now
Dec 25, 2025
Stefan Fatsis, an author and journalist specialized in language and sports, dives into the fascinating evolution of dictionaries in his latest book, Unabridged. He discusses the pivotal role of Noah Webster in shaping American language and identity. Fatsis shares his experience embedding at Merriam-Webster, where he uncovered the intricacies of lexicography. He also highlights how the internet and AI threaten the dictionary’s relevance, accelerating word adoption while warning about the challenges dictionaries face in a digital world.
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Embedded At Merriam‑Webster
- Stefan Fatsis embedded at Merriam-Webster and trained as a lexicographer in residence.
- He learned editorial procedures and tried to write definitions alongside professional staff.
Getting Words Into The Dictionary
- Fatsis wrote about 90 definitions and 14 made it into Merriam‑Webster's online dictionary.
- Successful entries included microaggression, safe space, dogpile, and headbutt.
The F‑Word Removal Drama
- In 1959 the Merriam‑Webster president removed the F word from the Third Edition despite editor Philip Gove's descriptivist approach.
- The president feared offense and that young boys might look it up.