Good Quote by Kory Stamper
““Good” has been used for almost a thousand years as an adverb, even though usage commentators and peevers have condemned this use. Dictionaries, he explained, were records of the language as it is used, and so we must set aside our disdain for the adverb “good” (and here he looked over his glasses at me) and record its long use in our dictionaries in spite of the rather pointless foofaraw around its existence.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Lexicographer discussion, 2019
The adverb “good” has long been used despite criticism; dictionaries should reflect actual usage rather than prescriptive judgments.
In simple terms: “good” is a long‑used adverb that dictionaries should record.
Key Takeaway
Accept language as it is used.
Themes
language
lexicography
prescriptivism
descriptivism
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
explanatory
reflective
When to use this quote
- editing dictionaries
- teaching language
- linguistic research
- public discourse
Key Concepts
semantic change
dictionary policy
linguistic descriptivism
Questions to Reflect On
- How should dictionaries balance descriptivism and prescriptivism?
- What impact does labeling “good” as “bad” have on language learners?
A Different Perspective
Prescriptive rules may hinder descriptive accuracy.
