Words are essential for communication. As a writer, I love words, but not as much as Dr Samuel Johnson. I’m babbling about him today because he was born on 18th September 1709, in Lichfield, Staffordshire.
Who is Dr Samuel Johnson?
Dr Johnson was a critic, writer, essayist, poet and lexicographer. Dr Johnson compiled the first extensive English dictionary published in 1755—predictably titled, A Dictionary of the English Language. It took him nine years to compile, and he was quite smug about his achievement, for it took the French Academy forty years to do the same for their language.
Now, there were some omissions because he didn’t work in what would be described as a systematic manner, but his definitions have been lauded as a vast improvement on earlier dictionaries.
OATS n. s. [Saxon] A grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people.
It is of the grass leaved tribe; the flowers have no petals, and are deposited in a loose panicle: the grain is eatable.
Samuel Johnson’s definition of oats, A Dictionary of the English Language, 1755
One of my favourite depictions of Dr Johnson is by Robbie Coltrane in the TV series Blackadder the Third. The Prince Regent’s long-suffering butler, Edmund Blackadder, claims Dr Johnson’s project is a waste of time. At the end of the episode, Dr Johnson rages when he realises he omitted the word “sausage”.
I Love My Dictionary
These days, we can search for a word on the internet within seconds, but I still can’t do without a paper copy of a dictionary.
As a copy editor and proofreader, I just feel better about looking up words in a heavy tome. I have a copy of the Oxford Dictionary which I use all the time. It holds a special place in my heart because it was a gift from my former colleagues in early years education.
Of course, unlike the internet, these copies will go out of date because of the ever-changing nature of language, but I don’t care. I will replace it with another paper copy when the time comes.
Some Interesting Words
Dr Johnson included some interesting (or chuckle-inducing) words in his dictionary.
A couple of my favourites are: slubberdegullion, which he describes as a paltry, dirty, sorry wretch; and twittletwattle, which he lists as a vile word meaning tattle or gabble. I am determined to use both in my work at some point.
One word I adore is nincompoop, which means stupid or foolish person. I just love the sound of it and I am sure I have already used it. Keep an eye out when you finally get to read my novels.
