An homage to the dictionary
I know you have one stashed somewhere in your house. Why don’t you ever use it?
I’ll tell you; it’s because it’s crammed at the bottom of your bookshelf between things that will fall over when you pull out your (not so) handy word reference manual. This will annoy you. You might not be able to get it back in the small space from which it came. You opt for your laptop and proceed merrily with word sleuthing, thinking yourself right clever for avoiding a grave brush with actual paper.
Well, dears, by all means, sleuth away in your digital bliss, but consider this:
As I leafed through Merriam-Webster today in hot pursuit of the definition of my Tigress Can Jam’s monthly ingredient—the alliums family—I stumbled upon a sweet tidbit, something I’d have never seen in an online definition.
Three or four listings above my mysterious alliums, there it was:
alligator pear n: avocado
photo courtesy of localfoodtastesbetter blog!
Who knew avocados were also called alligator pears? Not me, not until I picked up this dinosaur of a book that kids don’t really know how to use anymore (shocking!) [Also shocking: I’ve apparently become that old person shaking my cane and 14-year old grocery bag at the sky saying, “Kids these days…”]
Perhaps there’s a better location for this wondrous book in your home: like somewhere you can use it once and a while and not simultaneously implode your desk/bookcase situation?
Where do you dictionary-flipping regulars keep yours so it actually stays handy?
Reading
Reader Comments (5)
Shamefully... I don't even have a proper dictionary at the moment! I'm definitely a web dictionary user, but you've inspired me.
And btw... Loving your work!
ah, now I want to find my dictionary!
Ahem, as a woman of a certain age, I was shocked a couple of years ago when, working as a writer/editor, I asked my new (younger) colleagues for the dictionary. They looked at me blankly. Turned out everyone was using the Web.
Now I love finding info online as much as the next girl, but dictionaries should be one of those books that never go out of style. As Kate says, it's wonderful to come upon mysterious words you weren't even looking for, or to see the great illustrations that accompany lots of the definitions.
Here's an idea from a library friend: she bought a dictionary "stand" -- just like they have at the library -- for her home use. That way the dictionary's always there and open. (I haven't done this, but we often keep the dictionary in the living room, within easy reach -- need to get a stand, though).
I love my dictionary: and because of the obsessive book shelf behavior I chronicled a week or so ago, I know just where to find it: red...
I fully intend to use only the words "alligator pear" when I want to discuss those delicious tropical green fruit in future!
Thanks Kate & Meg!
Andrea, what a great idea...a stand. Score one for team tactile!
Talia, hold the phone...color-coding your book shelves...I knew we were destined to be good friends (so glad we're already neighbors!)