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Lexicographer Quotes

Every other author may aspire to praise; the lexicographer can only hope to escape reproach.

Every other author may aspire to praise; the lexicographer can only hope to escape reproach.

Samuel Johnson
Lexicographer, May, Praise
A Dictionary of the English Language preface (1755)

Lexicographer: a writer of dictionaries, a harmless drudge, that busies himself in tracing the original, and detailing the signification of words.

Samuel Johnson
Lexicographer, Literature, Dictionary
Samuel Johnson, John Walker (1835). “Johnson's English Dictionary”, p.559

A lexicographer, a writer of dictionaries, a harmless drudge.

Samuel Johnson
Book, Reading, Lexicographer
A Dictionary of the English Language (1755)

LEXICOGRAPHER, n. A pestilent fellow who, under the pretense of recording some particular stage in the development of a language, does what he can to arrest its growth, stiffen its flexibility and mechanize its methods.

Ambrose Bierce
Growth, Lexicographer, Doe
Ambrose Bierce (2013). “The Devil's Dictionary: Complete & Unabridged”, p.147, Courier Corporation

OBSOLETE, adj. No longer used by the timid. Said chiefly of words. A word which some lexicographer has marked obsolete is ever thereafter an object of dread and loathing to the fool writer . . .

Ambrose Bierce
Lexicographer, Fool, Loathing
Ambrose Bierce (2016). “The Devil's Dictionary: The Devil World”, p.152, 谷月社

The makers of dictionaries are dependent upon specialists for their definitions. A specialist's definition may be true or it may be erroneous. But its truth cannot be increased or its error diminished by its acceptance by the lexicographer. Each definition must stand on its own merits.

Benjamin Tucker
Acceptance, Errors, Lexicographer
Benjamin Ricketson Tucker (1972). “Instead of a Book”

Almost all absurdity of conduct arises from the imitation of those who we cannot resemble.

Samuel Johnson
Being Yourself, Lexicographer, Criminal Mind
The Rambler, No. 135, July 02, 1751.

By the time the traditionally male lexicographers become interested in looking at fashion words, their origins are lost in the mists of time.

Erin McKean
Fashion, Males, Lexicographer
"Erin McKean comes to terms with fashion" by Beth Hughes, www.sfgate.com. August 6, 2012.

Lexicographers are language reporters.

Erin McKean
Lexicographer, Language, Reporters

KISS, n. A word invented by the poets as a rhyme for "bliss." It is supposed to signify, in a general way, some kind of rite or ceremony appertaining to a good understanding; but the manner of its performance is unknown to this lexicographer.

Ambrose Bierce
Kissing, Understanding, Lexicographer
Ambrose Bierce (2016). “The Devil's Dictionary: The Devil World”, p.120, 谷月社

The bold and discerning writer who, recognizing the truth that language must grow by innovation if it grow at all, makes new words and uses the old in an unfamiliar sense has no following and is tartly reminded that 'it isn't in the dictionary' - although down to the time of the first lexicographer no author ever had used a word that was in the dictionary.

Ambrose Bierce
Innovation, Lexicographer, Use
Ambrose Bierce (2001). “The Unabridged Devil's Dictionary”, p.149, University of Georgia Press

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