Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
Making your own dictionary, with Erin McKean
Dec 5, 2024
Erin McKean, a lexicographer and the founder of Wordnik, dives into the fascinating world of dictionary-making. She reveals how Wordnik invites users to contribute words and definitions, embodying a collaborative spirit of language. Erin discusses the innovative 'adopt a word' initiative, which fosters personal connections to language, and the shift of Wordnik to a nonprofit model. They also explore the impact of AI on dictionaries, showcasing how technology shapes our understanding of language today.
25:04
Episode guests
AI Summary
AI Chapters
Episode notes
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Erin McKean emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in lexicography, aiming to document all English words, especially underrepresented ones.
- Wordnik encourages user engagement and contribution, fostering a collaborative community that enhances the dictionary's richness through interactive features.
Deep dives
The Journey to Wordnik
The founder of Wordnik, Erin McKean, shares her lifelong passion for lexicography, which began when she was just eight years old. After gaining extensive experience with children's dictionaries and working as editor-in-chief for American dictionaries at Oxford University Press, she decided to start Wordnik. This online dictionary focuses on inclusivity, aiming to capture all words, especially those not typically covered in traditional dictionaries due to constraints of time and money. The philosophy of Wordnik revolves around providing users with example sentences instead of solely relying on formal definitions, recognizing that language evolution requires flexibility.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
