The Meaning of Everything: The Story of the Oxford English Dictionary

Welcome to the captivating story behind one of the most ambitious and enduring projects in the history of the English language: the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). "The Meaning of Everything: The Story of the Oxford English Dictionary" by Simon Winchester illuminates the extraordinary journey of the OED's creation, its key contributors, and its lasting impact on language and communication. Winchester's narrative intertwines scholarly dedication, literary passion, and human inspiration, offering readers a compelling account that is both a tribute and a historical document of linguistic achievement.

Detailed Summary of the Book

Simon Winchester's "The Meaning of Everything" chronicles the monumental task of creating the Oxford English Dictionary, a project of unprecedented scholarly ambition. The story begins in the mid-19th century when language enthusiasts realized the need for a comprehensive documentation of the English language. In tracing the dictionary's evolution, Winchester highlights critical figures, including Sir James Murray, the indefatigable editor who led the project for decades. Murray, a self-taught linguist and polymath, was essential in directing the monumental work by harnessing contributions from volunteers around the world.

Winchester delves into the practical and philosophical challenges of compiling a dictionary that aimed to be both authoritative and exhaustive. He details the enormous scale of the project, which required reading countless texts and cataloging millions of quotations to provide not just definitions but a historical representation of word usage across the centuries. The book also recounts the technological and resource challenges faced by the team at Oxford and illustrates how these were overcome through sheer determination and ingenuity.

Key Takeaways

• The creation of the OED was a collaborative effort involving thousands of volunteers and spanning over seventy years. It stands as a testament to human dedication and intellectual collaboration.
• The process of compiling the dictionary was fraught with challenges but driven by a deep commitment to accuracy and comprehensiveness, which became the OED's hallmark.
• "The Meaning of Everything" underscores the importance of the evolution of language and the necessity of documenting it systematically to support cultural and historical understanding.

Famous Quotes from the Book

"Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind." - Rudyard Kipling, quoted in context to emphasize the profound impact and significance of language study.

"The English language is a vast mosaic slowly coming into view as each piece is painstakingly placed." - A reflection on the meticulous and detailed work required by the OED's compilers.

Why This Book Matters

"The Meaning of Everything" is not merely a historical account but a celebration of language and its pivotal role in human culture. The book matters because it commemorates the rigorous pursuit of knowledge and the collaborative human effort that culminated in one of the most significant intellectual achievements of modern times, the Oxford English Dictionary. As language continues to evolve, the OED remains a critical resource that supports scholarly research, education, and the public's understanding of the English language.

For anyone passionate about language, literature, or history, Winchester's book offers a deeply enriching experience. It appeals both to the scholarly reader who appreciates intellectual history and to the general reader who enjoys a compelling narrative enriched with human interest. Ultimately, "The Meaning of Everything" reminds us of the power of words and the enduring quest to understand and document the world through language.