Overview

Can you drink a glass of balderdash? What do you call the part of a dog's back it can't scratch? And if, serendipitously, you find yourself in Serendip, then where exactly are you? The answers to all of these questions--and a great many more--can be found in the pages of the Oxford English Dictionary, the definitive record of the English language. And there is no better guide to the dictionary's many wonderments than the former chief editor of the OED, John Simpson. Simpson spent almost four decades of his life immersed in the intricacies of our language, and guides us through its history with charmingly laconic wit. In The Word Detective, an intensely personal memoir and a joyful celebration of English, he weaves a story of how words come into being (and sometimes disappear), how culture shapes the language we use, and how technology has transformed not only the way we speak and write but also how words are made. Throughout, he enlivens his narrative with lively excavations and investigations of individual words--from deadline to online and back to 101 (yes, it's a word)--all the while reminding us that the seemingly mundane words (can you name the four different meanings of ma?) are often the most interesting ones. But Simpson also reminds us of the limitations of language: spending his days in the OED's house of words, his family at home is forced to confront the challenges of wordlessness. A brilliant and deeply humane expedition through the world of words, The Word Detective will delight and inspire any lover of language.

Full Product Details

9780465060696

Table of Contents

Reviews

Publishers Weekly Simpson gracefully weaves into his memoir little definitions of words, providing examples of the work of a lexicographer Simpson s vibrant and inspiring memoir gives us a glimpse into life as detective in the realm of words. Kirkus Reviews Simpson makes his literary debut with a delightful chronicle of his 40-year career among fellow lexicographers as the dictionary went through the long, painstaking processes of updating, revising, and digitizing its gargantuan number of entries. Unassuming, sly, and often very funny A captivating celebration of a life among words. David Crystal, author of The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language A perfect title. According to the OED, a Sherlock is someone 'who investigates mysteries or shows great perceptiveness'. This aptly summarizes Sherlock Simpson, who tells the inside story of how that great dictionary has come to be written, illustrated by illuminating and sometimes daring word histories, and grounded in an engaging and moving autobiography. Anyone fascinated by words and their history will love this informative and revealing memoir. We don't normally associate dictionaries with drama. This will change your mind. Philip Pullman, author of His Dark Materials I enjoyed this book immensely. John Simpson is an engaging narrator, and the story he tells is full of interest for anyone who has a fascination for words, their origins, their meanings, the way we use them. The Oxford English Dictionary is one of the great wonders of the world, and to have the story of how the great vessel that was launched in the nineteenth century was brought up to date and set sailing confidently on the digital seas of the twenty-first told by its Chief Editor is a great treat. The narrative is interspersed with mini-essays on words that have caught Simpson s attention: they show very vividly the sort of close knowledge and affectionate curiosity that make the great dictionary far more than just another reference book. Donald Knuth, Stanford Universityblurb (bl?: b), v. intr. slang (orig. U.S. ). To commend a newly published book.blurber (bl?: b?(r)), sb. [See prec.] One who blurbs. Steven Pinker, Johnstone Professor of Psychology, Harvard University, and author of The Language Instinct and The Sense of Style People think of dictionaries as oracles that channel eternal verities about The Language. In fact they are the handiwork of mortals who deliberate about how to make sense of the creative brainchildren and viral fads of hundreds of millions of wordsmiths. The Word Detective is a delightful and revealing look at the human side of dictionaries, with insights galore about the nature of language. (And why does the adjective galore come after the noun?) Alena Graedon, author of The Word Exchange Inviting, adj., is given two senses by the OED: that which invites or gives invitation, and attractive, alluring, or tempting. Although this superb memoir is not likely to lead you into temptation, it otherwise fits the definition very well. Simpson was a key figure on the editorial team that rescued the OED from obsolescence and ensured its ongoing relevance. They took on the considerable job of bringing the OED online and of adapting it in other ways that have transformed it from a historical monument into an indispensable record of our living language. In similar fashion, this funny, insightful, and really just wonderful book renders Simpson s own past accessible, engaging, and germane. Part social history, part dictionary history, and part personal historywith beguiling etymologies interwoven throughout (computer, deadline, skanking) The Word Detective will appeal to any reader curious about the English language and how it evolves. Simpson is the perfect guide to the OED. I adored this book. Erin McKean, Founder, Wordnik.com John Simpson's Word Detective is a warm, wry, and thoroughly engrossing memoir of what a life in lexicography truly entails, with plenty of time to stop and look at some of the words he's encountered along the way. Bryan A. Garner, author of Garner's Modern English Usage and chief editor of Black's Law Dictionary John Simpson has written a humane, poignant, wry account of his years at work on The Oxford English Dictionary. Word-lovers will relish it. Simon Winchester, author of The Professor and the Madman There is a poignant and unanticipated counterpoint to John Simpson s fine memoir of his time at the OEDfor while his majestic dictionary was during his tenure undergoing changes of the profoundest kind, he and his family were dealing with a personal challenge that places all his lexicographic achievements in the most human of contexts. This is a wonderful book, thenbut on two levels, both equally revealing, intimate and true.

<b><i>Booklist</i>, starred review</b> Simpson s memoir features entertaining, culturally revealing stories of many curious words, phrases, and roots Although scholars and librarians will be particularly interested in the OED history, all readers can enjoy Simpson s sincere and lively memoir. <b><i>Publishers Weekly</b></i> Simpson gracefully weaves into his memoir little definitions of words, providing examples of the work of a lexicographer.... Simpson s vibrant and inspiring memoir gives us a glimpse into life as detective in the realm of words. <i><b>Kirkus Reviews</i></b> Simpson makes his literary debut with a delightful chronicle of his 40-year career among fellow lexicographers as the dictionary went through the long, painstaking processes of updating, revising, and digitizing its gargantuan number of entries. Unassuming, sly, and often very funny.... A captivating celebration of a life among words. <b>Steven Pinker, and author of <i>The Language Instinct</i> and <i>The Sense of Style</i></b> People think of dictionaries as oracles that channel eternal verities about The Language. In fact they are the handiwork of mortals who deliberate about how to make sense of the creative brainchildren and viral fads of hundreds of millions of wordsmiths. The Word Detective is a delightful and revealing look at the human side of dictionaries, with insights galore about the nature of language. (And why does the adjective <i>galore</i> come after the noun?) <b>Philip Pullman, author of <i>His Dark Materials</b></i> I enjoyed this book immensely. John Simpson is an engaging narrator, and the story he tells is full of interest for anyone who has a fascination for words, their origins, their meanings, the way we use them. The <i>Oxford English Dictionary</i> is one of the great wonders of the world, and to have the story of how the great vessel that was launched in the nineteenth century was brought up to date and set sailing confidently on the digital seas of the twenty-first told by its chief editor is a great treat. The narrative is interspersed with mini essays on words that have caught Simpson s attention: they show very vividly the sort of close knowledge and affectionate curiosity that make the great dictionary far more than just another reference book. <b>Simon Winchester, author of <i>The Professor and the Madman</i></b> There is a poignant and unanticipated counterpoint to John Simpson s fine memoir of his time at the <i>OED</i>for while his majestic dictionary was during his tenure undergoing changes of the profoundest kind, he and his family were dealing with a personal challenge that places all his lexicographic achievements in the most human of contexts. This is a wonderful book, thenbut on two levels, both equally revealing, intimate and true. <b>Bryan A. Garner, author of <i>Garner's Modern English Usage</i> and chief editor of <i>Black's Law Dictionary</i></b> John Simpson has written a humane, poignant, wry account of his years at work on the <i>Oxford English Dictionary</i>. Word-lovers will relish it. <b>Frank Delaney, novelist and broadcaster</b> Can delight be sheer ? Can enjoyment be rich ? The <i>Oxford English Dictionary</i> on my shelves (very proud possession) sighs now and then as though looking for worthy company. It need be wistful no more. John Simpson, whose distinguished work came to inform those twenty volumes when he was chief editor, has written one of the loveliest, most engaging, most informing, humorously dry, and alluring companion books ever to serve the English language. When my envy has come under control I shall buyfor my nightstanda second copy of <i>The Word Detective</i>. And yes, it is full of sheer delight and rich enjoyment. <b>David Crystal, author of <i>The Cambridge Encyclopedia of the English Language</i></b> A perfect title. According to the <i>OED</i>, a <i>Sherlock</i> is someone 'who investigates mysteries or shows great perceptiveness'. This aptly summarizes Sherlock Simpson, who tells the inside story of how that great dictionary has come to be written, illustrated by illuminating and sometimes daring word histories, and grounded in an engaging and moving autobiography. Anyone fascinated by words and their history will love this informative and revealing memoir. We don't normally associate dictionaries with drama. This will change your mind. <b>Erin McKean, founder, Wordnik.com</b> John Simpson's <i>Word Detective</i> is a warm, wry, and thoroughly engrossing memoir of what a life in lexicography truly entails, with plenty of time to stop and look at some of the words he's encountered along the way. <b>Donald Knuth, Stanford University</b><b>blurb</b> (bl?: b), <i>v. intr. slang</i> (orig. <i>U.S.</i>). To commend a newly published book.<b>blurber</b> (bl?: b?(r)), <i>sb.</i> [See prec.] One who blurbs. <b>Alena Graedon, author of <i>The Word Exchange</i></b> Inviting, <i>adj</i>., is given two senses by the <i>OED</i> that which invites or gives invitation, and attractive, alluring, or tempting. Although this superb memoir is not likely to lead you into temptation, it otherwise fits the definition very well. Simpson was a key figure on the editorial team that rescued the <i>OED</i> from obsolescence and ensured its ongoing relevance. They took on the considerable job of bringing the <i>OED</i> online and of adapting it in other ways that have transformed it from a historical monument into an indispensable record of our living language. In similar fashion, this funny, insightful, and really just wonderful book renders Simpson s own past accessible, engaging, and germane. Part social history, part dictionary history, and part personal historywith beguiling etymologies interwoven throughout (computer, deadline, skanking)<i>The Word Detective</i> will appeal to any reader curious about the English language and how it evolves. Simpson is the perfect guide to the <i>OED</i>. I adored this book.

Author Information

John Simpson is the former chief editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, where he helped take the dictionary online. John is an emeritus fellow of Kellogg College, Oxford, and writes and researches widely on lexical, literary, and historical issues. He now lives in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom.

Tab Content 6

Customer Reviews

Recent Reviews

Countries Available