The Dictionary of Lost Words

by Pip Williams

Forego

prefer to say that I give them substance—a real word is one that is said out loud and means something to someone. Not all of them will find their way to a page. There are words I’ve heard all my life that I’ve never set in type.”

treacle,

Each day followed the same pattern, though the words coloured them differently.

Bodleian.

we all knew the Dictionary

was already a decade overdue.

LOVE “Love doth move the mynde to merci.” The Babees’ Book, 1557

read a letter asking why Jew had been split across two fascicles.

Splitting a word across two publications had been the focus of more than one argument between Dr.

Murray and the Press ...

variants of Jew required more detailed research, he said.

Publish what you’ve got, he was told.

Who hath yow misboden?

fascicles

“bondmaid.”

“Do they think we’ll stop speaking it if it’s not in

their dictionary? Can’t be the first word they’ve lost.”

I couldn’t help a feeling of accomplishment. I had been the cause of something that seemed to really matter.

“Bondmaid,”

“A slave girl,” I said. “Or a bonded servant, or someone who is bound to serve till death.”

“Don’t look so stricken, Essymay. I’m glad I’m in the Dictionary; or would have been, if not for you.” She smiled. “I wonder what else is in there about me?”

nonce

It should not be, this word, I thought. It shouldn’t exist. Its meaning should be obscure

and unthinkable. It should be a relic, and yet it was as easily understood now as at any time in history.

“I’m glad it isn’t in the Dictionary, Lizzie. It’s a horrible word.” “That it may be, but it’s a true word. Dictionary or...

“bondmaid” joins a number of fine words that should have been included in Volume I but were not (do not, for instance, mention “Africa” to Dr. Murray: it is a sore point).

Many quotations have been penned by women, though they are, of course, in the minority.

You are correct in your observation that words in common use that are not written down would necessarily be excluded. Your concern that some types of words, or words used by some types of people, will be lost to the future is really quite perceptive.

All words are not equal (and as I write this, I think I see your concern more clearly: if the words of one group are considered worthier of preservation than those of another…well, you have given me pause for thought).

listless

knackered.

it’s tired from work—physical work.

“Do you think there are

some words that only women use, or that apply to women specifically?”

“They may be commonly spoken, but if they are not commonly written they will not be included.

A quotation from Mr. Smith the greengrocer is simply not adequate.” “But some nonsense from Mr. Dickens the author is?”

“Latch-keyed,”

dollymop.”

“You might need more than one,” said Tilda. “I can’t

think of many words more versatile.”

Fuck was not in F and G.

It has to have a legitimate history in the English language.

“Words are like stories, don’t you think, Mr. Sweatman? They change as they are passed from

mouth to mouth; their meanings stretch or truncate to fit what needs to be said. The Dictionary can’t possibly capture every variation, especially since so many have never been written down—”

vulgar word, well placed and said with just enough vigour, can express far more than its polite equivalent.

mesnalty,”

“The Dictionary is a history book, Esme. If it has taught me anything, it is that the way we conceive of things now will most certainly change. How will they change? Well, I can only hope and speculate,

but I do know that your future will be different from the one your mother might have looked forward to at your age. If your new friends have something to teach you about it, I suggest you listen. But trust your judgement, Essy, about what ideas and experiences should be included, and what should not. I will always give you my opinion, if you ask for it, but you are a grown woman. While some would disagree, I believe it is your right to make your own choices, and I can’t insist on approving.”

I might agree with them but did not have the guts to stand in the midst of them.