"The Meaning of Everything" by Simon Winchester delves into the fascinating story behind the creation of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). Winchester masterfully weaves a narrative that chronicles the monumental effort, challenges, and triumphs of the men and women who dedicated their lives to compiling this comprehensive work on the English language. Through engaging storytelling, Winchester brings to life the characters involved in this great enterprise, from the tireless editors to the dedicated volunteer contributors, highlighting their struggles, achievements, and the ultimate significance of the OED.

Winchester's writing style in "The Meaning of Everything" is captivating and informative, making the intricate process of compiling the OED accessible and engaging to readers. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, Winchester takes readers on a journey through the history, beauty, and complexity of the English language, shedding light on the evolution of the dictionary and the extraordinary individuals who contributed to its creation.

Characters:

The characters, including key editors and contributors, are vividly portrayed with distinct personalities, showcasing their diverse backgrounds and motivations.

Writing/Prose:

The author's engaging and enthusiastic prose effectively blends storytelling with detailed research, making complex topics accessible.

Plot/Storyline:

The narrative chronicles the extensive undertaking of creating the Oxford English Dictionary, detailing the challenges and milestones that shaped this historic work.

Setting:

The setting is rooted in Victorian England, capturing the social and intellectual environment surrounding the OED's creation.

Pacing:

The pacing is consistent and steady, enabling a thorough exploration while keeping the narrative engaging.

Notes:

Etymology is the study of the history of words, while entomology is the study of insects.

Simon Winchester, the author, is passionate about words and language.

James Murray led the project of creating the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) from 1879 until his death in 1915.

The OED was initially supposed to be completed in 10 years but took 54 years to finish.

The OED ended up being 16,000 pages long instead of the planned 7,000 pages.

It cost £300,000 to produce the OED, far exceeding the initial budget of £9,000.

Murray had limited formal education but knew over 20 languages.

Frederick Furnivall, Murray's predecessor, struggled with the project due to personal distractions.

The OED project involved contributions from thousands of readers across the world.

From The Publisher:

'The greatest enterprise of its kind in history, ' was the verdict of British prime minister Stanley Baldwin in June 1928 when The Oxford English Dictionary was finally published. With its 15,490 pages and nearly two million quotations, it was indeed a monumental achievement, gleaned from the efforts of hundreds of ordinary and extraordinary people who made it their mission to catalogue the English language in its entirety. In The Meaning of Everything, Simon Winchester celebrates this remarkable feat, and the fascinating characters who played such a vital part in its execution, from the colourful Frederick Furnivall, cheerful promoter of an all-female sculling crew, to James Murray, self-educated son of a draper, who spent half a century guiding the project towards fruition. Along the way we learn which dictionary editor became the inspiration for Kenneth Grahame's Ratty in The Wind in the Willows, and why Tolkien found it so hard to define 'walrus'

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The Meaning of Everything

Simon Winchester

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What can you read after The Meaning of Everything?

What can you read after
The Meaning of Everything?