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Spark & Whetstonethe grown-up commons

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How Dictionaries Decide

Three short lessons on lexicography: why use, not authority, puts a word in a dictionary, how editors gather the evidence, and the famous word that never existed.

For grown-ups, from what LexForge teaches children at Spark & Anvil.

  1. Lesson 1Use makes a word
  2. Lesson 2Gathering the evidence
  3. Lesson 3The word that never was
At the table · three or more, 12 or older

A word on trial

You'll need: a new or disputed word, phones or newspapers, and paper.

  1. Pick a word you are not sure is "real".
  2. Everyone hunts for three examples of it in use, with where and when.
  3. Lay the citations out. Is the use wide, varied and lasting?
  4. Rule together: in the dictionary, disputed, or not yet.

Print the guidebook (all lessons + the table activity) →