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Hi -- that's an interesting question.
Samuel Johnson, born in Staffordshire, England in 1709, was the son of a bookseller and well-educated as a young man, and he always had an ambition to be an authority on the English language. In 1747 Johnson came up with a plan for his dictionary, which was to stabilize the language as it was used, rather than come up with rigid rules, by examining quotations from popular authors of the day (you can read a transcription of the whole plan here: http://johnsonsdictionaryonline.com/?page_id=353). He began with taking words from existing dictionaries of the day, and added more by taking quotations from popular and scholarly books going back to the 1500s-he only used works of living authors when he couldn't find any other quotes to support a definition. With the help of six assistants he gathered around 114,000 quotations from all sorts of literary sources in every field of learning, using them to illustrate how words were used in context. He wrote out the definitions of the more than 40,000 words in the dictionary himself.
While most of them were reasonably accurate, a few of them were subjective and showed his conservative politics-also sometimes his sense of humor. One of his more famous entries is for lexicographer: ""A writer of dictionaries; a harmless drudge…" Or his definition of oats: "A Grain, which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people." Words he didn't like or approve of, such as bang, budge, fuss, gambler, shabby, and touchy, he left out altogether.
Johnson's Dictionary of the English Language took just over eight years to compile. He eventually produced four editions, the last one in 1773.
There's an entire book on the subject, The Making of Johnson's Dictionary by Alan Hilliard Reddick (Cambridge University Press, 1996).
Hope that helps!
Lisa Peet
Library & Information Science Student
Pratt Institute
What else can I help you with?
How was Samuel Johnson invented the first dictionary?
Samuel Johnson did not invent the first dictionary, but he is known for his influential work in creating one of the earliest comprehensive and authoritative dictionaries of the English language, titled "A Dictionary of the English Language" (1755). Johnson spent nearly nine years compiling and defining around 40,000 words for this landmark dictionary, which was a significant contribution to English lexicography.
Why did Samuel Johnson undertake his monumental Dictionary of the English Language?
Samuel Johnson undertook his Dictionary of the English Language to create a comprehensive and authoritative guide to English words and usage. He aimed to standardize the language and provide a resource for clarity and consistency in communication. Johnson's dictionary also played a significant role in shaping English lexicography.
Who invented the first English dictionary and why?
The first English dictionary was compiled by Samuel Johnson in 1755. Johnson undertook the project to standardize the English language and provide a reference guide for words and their meanings. He believed a comprehensive dictionary would help promote literacy and education in England.
What did the English language lack when Johnson undertook his work?
When Samuel Johnson undertook his work on the English language, it lacked a comprehensive and authoritative dictionary that gathered and standardized the language's wide range of words and meanings. Johnson aimed to fill this gap with his dictionary, providing a common reference point for English speakers.
What was the first word put into the dictionary?
The first word put into the dictionary was "abacus" in 1755 by Samuel Johnson in his "A Dictionary of the English Language."
Who invented the English dictionary?
The first dictionary was in the Chinese period of the 3rd Century BC. More recently dictionaries were complied between the 8th and the 14th Centuries. A non alphabetical list of English words was issued in 1592 contained 8000 words. Samuel Johnson created the first noteworthy dictionary is 1755
Where did Samuel Johnson invent the dictionary?
Samuel Johnson invented the dictionary in England.
Why did Johnson seek quotations from writers for the dictionary?
Johnson sought quotations from writers for the dictionary to provide example sentences that show the word's usage in context. This helped to clarify the meaning and usage of words for readers.
How was Samuel Johnson invented the first dictionary?
Samuel Johnson did not invent the first dictionary, but he is known for his influential work in creating one of the earliest comprehensive and authoritative dictionaries of the English language, titled "A Dictionary of the English Language" (1755). Johnson spent nearly nine years compiling and defining around 40,000 words for this landmark dictionary, which was a significant contribution to English lexicography.
Why did Samuel Johnson undertake his monumental Dictionary of the English Language?
Samuel Johnson undertook his Dictionary of the English Language to create a comprehensive and authoritative guide to English words and usage. He aimed to standardize the language and provide a resource for clarity and consistency in communication. Johnson's dictionary also played a significant role in shaping English lexicography.
Who invented the first English dictionary and why?
The first English dictionary was compiled by Samuel Johnson in 1755. Johnson undertook the project to standardize the English language and provide a reference guide for words and their meanings. He believed a comprehensive dictionary would help promote literacy and education in England.
Who created first English dictionary and when?
The first English dictionary was created by Samuel Johnson and it was published in 1755. Johnson's dictionary was a landmark achievement in the standardization of the English language.
Who invented the first dictionary?
The first modern dictionary is often credited to Samuel Johnson, who published "A Dictionary of the English Language" in 1755. This dictionary was a significant milestone in the standardization of the English language.
What does lexicography mean?
A lexicographer studies words.
What did the English language lack when Johnson undertook his work?
When Samuel Johnson undertook his work on the English language, it lacked a comprehensive and authoritative dictionary that gathered and standardized the language's wide range of words and meanings. Johnson aimed to fill this gap with his dictionary, providing a common reference point for English speakers.
What is the person name who discovered the first dictionary?
The first comprehensive dictionary in English is often credited to Samuel Johnson, who published "A Dictionary of the English Language" in 1755.
What company made the first English dictionary?
The first English dictionary was written by Samuel Johnson in 1755. It was first called the Johnson Dictionary. It wasn't until 173 years later that the Oxford English Dictionary was produced.
