Words Unravelled with RobWords and Jess Zafarris How could one man write a dictionary? | SAMUEL JOHNSON
Aug 13, 2025
Dive into the fascinating world of Samuel Johnson's 1755 dictionary, a monumental yet imperfect achievement. Discover quirky entries and the 'ghost words' that mischievously slipped in. Hear about Johnson's life journey, including the challenges he faced and the influence of his marriage. Enjoy humorous insights into the origins of curious words, gendered language, and the tension between traditional and modern definitions. This lively discussion celebrates the whims and eccentricities of language evolution in an entertaining way!
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Johnson Invented The Modern Dictionary
- Samuel Johnson's 1755 dictionary combined precise definitions with literary quotations and usage notes in a new, influential way.
- That format made it the first modern-style English dictionary and highly useful for understanding register and context.
Three Years Of Slip-Based Research
- Johnson spent three years reading texts and collecting quotations before definitions were written.
- Assistants copied quotes onto slips, which were filed and pasted into larger sheets for the printers.
Big Works Produce Ghost Words
- Large projects introduce errors and 'ghost words' through misreadings and misprints.
- Johnson's dictionary contains entries like football and dentize that stem from citation/misprint mistakes.
