Any Quote by Erin McKean
“There are hundreds of thousands of words that aren't in any print dictionary today... because there's no space for all of them.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Lexicographer Erin McKean on language evolution, 2015
Language constantly expands faster than printed dictionaries can keep up, creating gaps in official records.
In simple terms: Words grow faster than dictionaries can record.
Key Takeaway
Embrace new words and update resources regularly.
Themes
language
lexicography
innovation
Mood
curious
optimistic
Type
observational
analytical
When to use this quote
- social media
- academic research
- content creation
- education
- publishing
Key Concepts
semantic expansion
digital lexicons
Questions to Reflect On
- How do we decide which new words merit inclusion?
- What role should technology play in documenting language?
A Different Perspective
Printed dictionaries cannot capture the full dynamism of living language.
