Unlocking the Past: A Journey Through the History of English Dictionaries

By Samuel

Mar 26, 2025

In History

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Dictionaries are ubiquitous. We use them daily, often without a second thought. But have you ever stopped to consider the rich and fascinating history of English dictionaries? From humble beginnings as simple word lists to the comprehensive resources we rely on today, the evolution of the dictionary is a captivating story of language, culture, and tireless dedication. This article will delve into the world of lexicography and explore the key milestones that have shaped the landscape of English dictionaries.

Early Attempts at Defining Language: The Dawn of Lexicography

The earliest forms of dictionaries were not quite the comprehensive volumes we know today. Instead, they were more akin to glossaries – collections of difficult or foreign words with explanations. These early attempts at defining language often arose from a need to understand religious texts or classical literature. The very earliest examples were bilingual or multilingual, aiding in the translation of important documents and promoting cross-cultural understanding. Think of them as primitive phrasebooks, designed to unlock meaning for a select audience. For instance, early Anglo-Saxon glossaries translated Latin words into Old English, aiding scholars in their study of religious texts.

The development of these early dictionaries was heavily influenced by the scholarly communities of the time, primarily monasteries and universities. The focus was on preserving and interpreting existing knowledge, rather than creating a comprehensive record of the spoken language. These pioneers in lexicography laid the groundwork for future generations of lexicographers, establishing the fundamental principles of defining and organizing words.

The Rise of the Unilingual Dictionary: Defining English in English

The shift towards unilingual dictionaries, defining English words in English, marked a significant turning point. This development reflected a growing sense of national identity and a desire to codify and standardize the English language itself. One of the earliest and most influential examples of this trend was Robert Cawdrey's A Table Alphabeticall, published in 1604. This dictionary, though relatively small by modern standards, represented a bold attempt to catalog the “hard usuall English wordes” for the benefit of ordinary readers. Cawdrey’s work, while limited in scope and accuracy, signaled a growing awareness of the need for a definitive guide to the English language, accessible to a wider audience.

Other notable early English dictionaries include John Bullokar's An English Expositor (1616) and Henry Cockeram's The English Dictionarie (1623). These works, while building on Cawdrey's foundation, began to incorporate a wider range of words and definitions, reflecting the burgeoning vocabulary of the English language during the Renaissance. These early lexicographers faced significant challenges, including a lack of standardized spelling and grammar. Their efforts, however, paved the way for the more comprehensive and authoritative dictionaries that would follow.

Samuel Johnson and A Dictionary of the English Language: A Monumental Achievement

No discussion of the history of English dictionaries is complete without acknowledging the monumental contribution of Samuel Johnson. His A Dictionary of the English Language, published in 1755, was a landmark achievement that established a new standard for lexicography. Johnson’s dictionary was not simply a list of words and definitions; it was a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the English language, enriched by his own literary style and personal observations.

Johnson devoted nearly a decade to the creation of his dictionary, working with a team of assistants to compile definitions, trace etymologies, and select illustrative quotations from a wide range of literary sources. His dictionary included over 40,000 words, each meticulously defined and exemplified. Johnson’s definitions were often witty and opinionated, reflecting his own personality and worldview. Furthermore, the dictionary included a fascinating preface outlining his principles of lexicography and his hopes for the future of the English language.

A Dictionary of the English Language was not without its flaws. Johnson acknowledged its imperfections and limitations, recognizing that language is constantly evolving and that no dictionary can ever be truly complete. Nevertheless, his work was widely praised and became the standard reference for English speakers for over a century. It solidified Johnson's reputation as one of the greatest literary figures in English history and left an indelible mark on the field of lexicography.

The Philological Society and the Birth of the Oxford English Dictionary: A New Era of Lexicography

While Johnson's dictionary was a remarkable achievement, it was eventually surpassed by the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), a project of unprecedented scale and ambition. The OED, originally conceived by the Philological Society in the mid-19th century, aimed to create a comprehensive historical dictionary of the English language, tracing the evolution of each word from its earliest known usage to the present day.

The OED was a collaborative effort involving hundreds of volunteer readers who scoured literary texts, newspapers, and other sources to collect examples of English words in use. These examples were then sent to the editors, who analyzed them and used them to construct detailed entries for each word, including its etymology, pronunciation, and various meanings throughout history. The process was painstaking and time-consuming, but the result was a dictionary of unparalleled depth and accuracy. James Murray served as the primary editor for many years, steering the massive project through numerous challenges and setbacks.

The first fascicle of the OED was published in 1884, and the complete dictionary was finally published in 1928, comprising twelve volumes and over 400,000 entries. The OED has since been revised and updated several times, and it remains the most authoritative and comprehensive dictionary of the English language. It is a testament to the power of collaboration and the enduring fascination with the history of English dictionaries and the words they contain.

American Lexicography: Webster's Influence and the Divergence of English

Across the Atlantic, a distinct tradition of American lexicography was emerging, spearheaded by Noah Webster. Webster believed in creating an American English dictionary that would reflect the unique culture and identity of the newly formed United States. His An American Dictionary of the English Language, published in 1828, was a groundbreaking work that introduced numerous American spellings and pronunciations, such as