Communication Quote by Kory Stamper
““Most words come into being first in speech, then in private writing, and then in public, published writing, which means that if the date given at the entry marks the birth of a word, the moment when it went from nothing to something, then Merriam-Webster must have an underground vault full of clandestine recordings of each word’s first uttering, like something out of the Harry Potter books, only less magical.””
About This Quote
Source Interview: Lexicographer interview, Merriam-Webster, 2023
Words typically appear spoken, then privately written, before finally being published; this timeline suggests lexicographers have early recordings of words’ first utterances.
In simple terms: Words start spoken, then written, then published.
Key Takeaway
Recognize the spoken origin of language.
Themes
language evolution
lexicography
communication
Mood
curious
analytical
Type
observational
informative
When to use this quote
- dictionary compilation
- language teaching
- speech therapy
- media editing
Key Concepts
phonetics
semantic shift
cultural transmission
Questions to Reflect On
- How does oral tradition shape written language?
- What biases might affect early word recordings?
A Different Perspective
Early recordings may be incomplete or biased toward certain dialects.
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