The Editor's Half Hour Inside the New Merriam-Webster Collegiate
For the Season 3 finale of The Editor’s Half Hour, I’m joined by a truly extraordinary guest: Peter Sokolowski, editor at large at Merriam-Webster. With the highly anticipated 12th edition of the Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary—the first major update in more than two decades—Peter gives us a rare look behind the scenes of how our language is shaped, refined, and recorded.
In this conversation, Peter takes us inside the meticulous world of lexicography: how new words earn their place, how usage guides definition, and how the dictionary reflects the culture around us. We talk about nuance, evolution, clarity, and the responsibility of capturing the living nature of English—while honoring history, accuracy, and meaning.
This episode is a celebration of everything editors love about language. Whether you’re an editor, a writer, or a full-on word nerd, you’ll walk away with a deeper appreciation for the craft behind the dictionary you’ve trusted for years.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
· What goes into updating a major dictionary edition
· How lexicographers track evolving usage and cultural influence
· The surprising ways words shift meaning over time
· What gets added and what gets revised in the 12th edition
· How editors and lexicographers share similar instincts for clarity and precision
· Why dictionary work is both deeply technical and beautifully human
And because this is the season finale, the episode begins with a special announcement: the winner of this season’s listener giveaway! Become a sneak “Pique” Patreon supporter to get access to exclusive content.
Visit https://www.merriam-webster.com/collegiate-dictionary-twelfth-edition to get your copy of the latest 12th edition.
If you’re planning to attend the LoveLitCon in San Diego (Feb. 13–16), visit lovelit. and use code PP7299 to get $25 off the registration fee.
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