Writerly Things #1

A massive tome leads to interesting discoveries

Where story meets soul, and reflection deepens self-awareness. A creative space for writing, self-discovery, and inner clarity.

I’m starting a new series called Writerly Things and will send one out about once a month. Sharing writerly things with you is a lighter way for me to stay connected to my writing practice while I work on other deep-dive content, such as how we spend our emotional energy.

When my father died, one of the things I couldn’t bear to let go of was his dictionary. Not any dictionary. A 1983 Webster’s New Universal Unabridged Dictionary with 2,347 pages, thumb-indexed, 320,000 definitions, 19 encyclopedic supplements, 3,000 color illustrations, and Full-color maps of the world. Deluxe Second Edition.

That’s like my dad. His vocabulary was expansive. He’d gleefully use extraordinarily big words we’d never heard of when he would instruct us or talk about his day. His war stories were sprinkled with Italian and French words he’d learned during the war. When he wanted us to hurry, he would say what sounded like ‘veet-veet” and put his arm out with a flourish that said, “let’s go.” A slang of Italian or French, maybe? He loved saying “Pass the sucaryl.” Again, the spelling and origin are unknown, but he meant sugar. His eyes sparkled with delight when he used words he didn’t think we knew. We rolled our eyes, but I wish I could hear him speak those big words again.

His giant Webster’s dictionary, with its tattered cover, sat at the top of my bookshelf for years. Unbidden, unused, left alone. The digital versions had long since taken over.

I’ve been rearranging my office, and this morning, I decided to pull out the ancient dictionary and take a spin through it. After all, I’m a writer and writers use dictionaries.

I started by looking at the full-color world maps at the back because I’m a wanderer and traveler. I stopped at the United States map to see which states I hadn’t visited. (North and South Carolina, Oregon, Idaho, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.)

And then I found seventeen pages of Business Mathematics. Big eye roll. AND so much helpful information there.

Other features:

• A dictionary of foreign words and phrases

• The Declaration of Independence

• The Constitution of the United States and

• The History of Canada

• Charter of the United Nations

• Dictionary of Noted Names in Fiction, Mythology, Legend

It’s like a mini-encyclopedia of its time. Today, some authorities say there are nearly a million words in the English language, which would make printing nearly impossible. However, that million includes technical words that wouldn’t be listed in a dictionary. Of course, languages evolve, and many words have fallen out of use. In a quick online search, I found these outdated words:

• Snollygoster: A term from the 19th century used to describe someone, particularly a politician, who is dishonest and unprincipled.

• Quomodocunquize: A 17th-century term meaning to make money in any way possible. Can’t even pronounce this!

• Jargogle: An archaic verb meaning to confuse, jumble, or bamboozle.

Hmmm, they seem relevant again. Maybe we should bring them back.

Patience is key with a printed dictionary. Luckily, this Second Deluxe Edition has alphabet tabs. I imagined authors such as Emily Dickinson, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and other giants at their desks, searching for the right word in their worn and beloved dictionaries.

Discoveries

As you might expect, in 1983, the word internet wasn’t an entry. Neither was laptop. Microwave is listed because there were microwave ovens then. Cellular is also listed, but only in relation to plants and biology. No hip-hop in the dictionary.

I rediscovered a few words:

Gibbous - aside from describing a moon phase, it also means hunched, hump-backed, or crookbacked.

Onomatopoeia (definitely a writerly word) - the formation of a word by imitating the natural sound associated with the object or action involved, such as tinkle and buzz.

After spending an hour or so with the weighty tome, I’ve come to several conclusions:

• The experience of analog searching leads me on delightful diversions, such as discovering the Celtiberians, the supposed original inhabitants of Spain - Celts and Iberians. A word I wouldn’t have found unless I was researching the topic.

• I miss the instant ability to find a synonym as I can in an app. In a quick Amazon search (not an affiliate link), there are dozens of printed books with synonyms and antonyms. Another book for my already crowded shelves?

• I will read the History of Canada, because they are long-time friends of the United States, and I have some wonderful friends there.

• I will also re-read the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States. Because we should all know what we risk losing.

• I rediscovered my love of language and linguistics.

• Simply flipping to a random page leads to reminders, new discoveries, archaic words, and deeper understanding.

Do you have a favorite dictionary or thesaurus? Did you use a printed dictionary while you were in school and in your writing?

My favorite new writing tool

The last time I was in Bozeman, Montana, where my daughter and her family live, I found this Lamy Fountain Pen, which glides so smoothly, like butter, across my journal. The design fits comfortably in my hand, and I use it more and more every day. I found it at Paper and Grace in Bozeman. I could spend hours in the store looking at journals, pens, art supplies, and other writerly things. (Again, not affiliates, just sharing fun.)

Do you have a favorite pen you write with? A favorite writing app or tool?

May you feel peace

May you love

May you be loved

And may all your writing find its home.