The Dictionary #434

August 11, 2017

This week we look at the science, art, and craft of lexicography as we go backstage into the process of how dictionaries are made. We spend the hour with Kory Stamper, a lexicographer at Merriam-Webster and author of the book "Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries", to learn more about the history of dictionaries, what their purpose is, and how defining words isn't as straightforward as you might think.

Guests:

  • Kory Stamper
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Featured Book

Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries

Written by Kory Stamper

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Guest Bios

Kory Stamper

Kory Stamper is a lexicographer at Merriam-Webster, where she also writes, edits, and appears in the "Ask the Editor" video series. She blogs regularly on language and lexicography at www.korystamper.com and her writing has appeared in The Guardian, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and on Slate.com. She is also the author of the book "Word by Word: The Secret Life of Dictionaries".

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