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The Word Detective: A Life in Words: From Serendipity to Selfie
John Simpson
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Description for The Word Detective: A Life in Words: From Serendipity to Selfie
Paperback. The story of words, cultures, the OED and John Simpson, a word detective with thirty-seven years of dictionary experience and twenty years as Chief Editor of the world's most important dictionary Num Pages: 448 pages. BIC Classification: BM; CBX; CFM. Category: (G) General (US: Trade). Dimension: 198 x 126. .
Language is always changing. No one knows where it is going but the best way to future-cast is to look at the past. John Simpson animates for us a tradition of researching and editing, showing us both the technical lexicography needed to understand a word, and the careful poetry needed to construct its definition. He challenges both the idea that dictionaries are definitive, and the notion that language is falling apart. With a sense of humour, an ability to laugh at bureaucracy and an inclination to question the status quo, John Simpson gives life to the colourful characters at the ... Read more
Language is always changing. No one knows where it is going but the best way to future-cast is to look at the past. John Simpson animates for us a tradition of researching and editing, showing us both the technical lexicography needed to understand a word, and the careful poetry needed to construct its definition. He challenges both the idea that dictionaries are definitive, and the notion that language is falling apart. With a sense of humour, an ability to laugh at bureaucracy and an inclination to question the status quo, John Simpson gives life to the colourful characters at the ... Read more
Product Details
Publisher
Abacus
Format
Paperback
Publication date
2017
Condition
New
Weight
28g
Number of Pages
384
Place of Publication
London, United Kingdom
ISBN
9780349141008
SKU
V9780349141008
Shipping Time
Usually ships in 5 to 9 working days
Ref
99-10
About John Simpson
The author was Chief Editor of the OED and worked on the Dictionary for 37 years.
Reviews for The Word Detective: A Life in Words: From Serendipity to Selfie
This elegantly crafted volume will surely provide greater entertainment than a few more famous memoirists this autumn
Marcus Berkmann
Daily Mail
Poignant . . . a sustained and sincere reflection on what it means to make a dictionary - the toil, the puzzles, the costs and the profits
Henry Hitchings
Guardian
A compelling tribute ... Read more
Marcus Berkmann
Daily Mail
Poignant . . . a sustained and sincere reflection on what it means to make a dictionary - the toil, the puzzles, the costs and the profits
Henry Hitchings
Guardian
A compelling tribute ... Read more