--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: The trouble with the dictionary is that…" description: "\"The trouble with the dictionary is that you have to know how a word is spelled before you can look it up to see how it is spelled.\" — Will Cuppy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76e/will-cuppy-7569_dictionary_the-trouble-with-the-dictionary-is-that_2253554.jpg" --- # The trouble with the dictionary is that you have to know… ![“The trouble with the dictionary is that you have to know how a word is spelled before you can look it up to see how it is spelled.” quote by Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76e/will-cuppy-7569_dictionary_the-trouble-with-the-dictionary-is-that_2253554.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76e/will-cuppy-7569_dictionary_the-trouble-with-the-dictionary-is-that_2253554.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76e/will-cuppy-7569_dictionary_the-trouble-with-the-dictionary-is-that_2253554.jpg) > “The trouble with the dictionary is that you have to know how a word is spelled before you can look it up to see how it is spelled.” [Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cuppy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Language requires knowledge before reference; learning precedes lookup. **In simple terms:** You must know spelling to use a dictionary. Key Takeaway Learn basics before relying on tools. Themes language learning knowledge Mood reflective humorous Type educational satirical When to use this quote - classroom - self‑study - editing work Key Concepts lexicography epistemology metacognition Questions to Reflect On - What strategies improve spelling before lookup? - How can you teach dictionary use effectively? A Different Perspective Dictionaries can’t teach spelling; they assume it. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Dictionary](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dictionary/) [Language](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/language/) ## Related quotes > [Even if you look in the dictionary you know the meaning of the word or phrase, but there's still the feeling of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chath-piersath/even-if-you-look-in-the-dictionary-you-know-the-meaning-of-the-word/) [Chath Piersath](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chath-piersath/) > [Politics is a word spelled N-O-W.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alexis-de-veaux/politics-is-a-word-spelled-n-o-w/) [Alexis De Veaux](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alexis-de-veaux/) > [“It's like a dictionary. 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And what's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jimmy-durante/what-s-a-depression-the-dictionary-says-a-depression-is-a-dent-and/) [Jimmy Durante](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jimmy-durante/) > [The only place where compensation comes before service is in the dictionary or anywhere the government meddles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orrin-woodward/the-only-place-where-compensation-comes-before-service-is-in-the/) [Orrin Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orrin-woodward/) > [“I hereby propose the term “miserize”, as a verb for misery – referring to “to cause misery”.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/i-hereby-propose-the-term-miserize-as-a-verb-for-misery-referring-to/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) ## More by Will Cuppy > [“Hatshepsut has been called the first great woman of history. She simply appointed herself King of Egypt and that was all there was to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/hatshepsut-has-been-called-the-first-great-woman-of-history-she/) [Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cuppy/) > [“Intelligence is the capacity to know what we are doing and instinct is just instinct. The results are about the same.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/intelligence-is-the-capacity-to-know-what-we-are-doing-and-instinct/) [Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cuppy/) > [Henry VIII had so many wives because his dynastic sense was very strong whenever he saw a maid of honour.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/henry-viii-had-so-many-wives-because-his-dynastic-sense-was-very/) [Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cuppy/) > [ \[Footnote:\] Pliny the Elder described a Whale called "Balaena or Whirlpool, which is so long and broad as to take up more in length… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/footnote-pliny-the-elder-described-a-whale-called-balaena-or/) [Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cuppy/) > [Frogs will eat red-flannel worms fed to them by biologists; this proves a great deal about both parties concerned.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/frogs-will-eat-red-flannel-worms-fed-to-them-by-biologists-this/) [Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cuppy/) > [Even as a child back in Indiana, whenever I took a Butterbelly off the hook I used to ask myself, "Does this fish think?"…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/even-as-a-child-back-in-indiana-whenever-i-took-a-butterbelly-off-the/) [Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cuppy/) > [“Would it not be downright cruel to keep him in semi-captivity in a town or city, where the opportunities for wreaking havoc and destruction…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/would-it-not-be-downright-cruel-to-keep-him-in-semi-captivity-in-a/) [Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cuppy/) > [Alexander III of Macedon is known as Alexander the Great because he killed more people of more different kinds than any other man of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/alexander-iii-of-macedon-is-known-as-alexander-the-great-because-he/) [Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cuppy/) > [“The average sparrow is something of a bore and the trouble is that all sparrows are average.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/the-average-sparrow-is-something-of-a-bore-and-the-trouble-is-that/) [Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cuppy/) > [I don't like to boast, but I have probably skipped more poetry than any other person of my age and weight in this country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/i-don-t-like-to-boast-but-i-have-probably-skipped-more-poetry-than/) [Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cuppy/) > [“All modern men are descended from wormlike creatures, but it shows more on some people.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/all-modern-men-are-descended-from-wormlike-creatures-but-it-shows/) [Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cuppy/) > [ \[Footnote:\] The female of any species is generally regarded as a relatively anabolic organism, more passive than the male, who is relatively katabolic and… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/footnote-the-female-of-any-species-is-generally-regarded-as-a/) [Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cuppy/) > [ It is because of his brain that \[modern man\] has risen above the animals. Guess which animals he has risen above. ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/it-is-because-of-his-brain-that-modern-man-has-risen-above-the/) [Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cuppy/) > [It's easy to see the faults in people I know; it's hardest to see the good. Especially when the good isn't there.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/it-s-easy-to-see-the-faults-in-people-i-know-it-s-hardest-to-see-the/) [Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cuppy/) > [I am billed as a humorist, but of course I am a tragedian at heart.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/i-am-billed-as-a-humorist-but-of-course-i-am-a-tragedian-at-heart/) [Will Cuppy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cuppy/) [Explore all 90 Will Cuppy quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cuppy/) ## More Dictionary quotes > [There is no such word as item girl in the dictionary. People have created this word and I don't believe that I am an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shefali-zariwala/there-is-no-such-word-as-item-girl-in-the-dictionary-people-have/) [Shefali Zariwala](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shefali-zariwala/) > [“I hereby propose the term “miserize”, as a verb for misery – referring to “to cause misery”.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abhijit-naskar/i-hereby-propose-the-term-miserize-as-a-verb-for-misery-referring-to/) [Abhijit Naskar](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abhijit-naskar/) > [The only place where compensation comes before service is in the dictionary or anywhere the government meddles.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/orrin-woodward/the-only-place-where-compensation-comes-before-service-is-in-the/) [Orrin Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/orrin-woodward/) > [What's a depression? The dictionary says a depression is a dent. And what's a dent? Everybody knows a dent is a hole. 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I open a book of thieves’ slang from Queen Anne’s reign and they have a hundred words for swords,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-forsyth/every-dictionary-contains-a-world-i-open-a-book-of-thieves-slang-from/) [Mark Forsyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-forsyth/) > [I've been in 'Who's Who' and I know what's what, but it'll be the first time I ever made the dictionary.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mae-west/i-ve-been-in-who-s-who-and-i-know-what-s-what-but-it-ll-be-the-first/) [Mae West](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mae-west/) > [Everybody talks about being a role model. But if you look up the word 'role' in a dictionary, it describes playing a part. Everything…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shaquille-o-neal/everybody-talks-about-being-a-role-model-but-if-you-look-up-the-word/) [Shaquille O'Neal](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shaquille-o-neal/) > [“We have control on every word of the dictionary except for the 2:; "Death" and "Heart”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nikita-tak/we-have-control-on-every-word-of-the-dictionary-except-for-the-2/) [Nikita Tak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nikita-tak/) > [Weird itself, even in the dictionary, is just something that is different and unexplainable. A weirdo is someone who follows their heart. Im definitely…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kid-cudi/weird-itself-even-in-the-dictionary-is-just-something-that-is/) [Kid Cudi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kid-cudi/) > [I'm not sure what to call 'Lego Star Wars: The Visual Dictionary.' Nonfiction? Movie/toy fiction? But it is any Lego/'Star Wars' kid's dream. Call…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jon-scieszka/i-m-not-sure-what-to-call-lego-star-wars-the-visual-dictionary/) [Jon Scieszka](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-scieszka/) > [“A dictionary is a ship that crosses the sea of words,” said Araki, with a sense that he was laying bare his innermost soul.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shion-miura/a-dictionary-is-a-ship-that-crosses-the-sea-of-words-said-araki-with/) [Shion Miura](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shion-miura/) > [There is a word Kristos in the Greek dictionary, and this word is supposed to be borrowed from the Sanskrit word "Krishna," and Christ…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/a-c-bhaktivedanta-swami-prabhupada/there-is-a-word-kristos-in-the-greek-dictionary-and-this-word-is/) [A. C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/a-c-bhaktivedanta-swami-prabhupada/) > [If you look in the dictionary under 'perfectionist,' you see Henry Selick correcting the definition of perfectionist in the dictionary. I mean, he is…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-hodgman/if-you-look-in-the-dictionary-under-perfectionist-you-see-henry/) [John Hodgman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-hodgman/) > [I'm pretty sure that if you looked up the word "nuts" in the dictionary, you'll find my picture. Just another fun feature of my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/james-patterson/i-m-pretty-sure-that-if-you-looked-up-the-word-nuts-in-the-dictionary/) [James Patterson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/james-patterson/) [Browse all 550 Dictionary quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/dictionary/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "The trouble with the dictionary is that you have to know how a word is spelled before you can look it up to see how it is spelled.", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Will Cuppy" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/the-trouble-with-the-dictionary-is-that-you-have-to-know-how-a-word/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Dictionary" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/the-trouble-with-the-dictionary-is-that-you-have-to-know-how-a-word/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76e/will-cuppy-7569_dictionary_the-trouble-with-the-dictionary-is-that_2253554.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76e/will-cuppy-7569_dictionary_the-trouble-with-the-dictionary-is-that_2253554.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/76e/will-cuppy-7569_dictionary_the-trouble-with-the-dictionary-is-that_2253554.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“The trouble with the dictionary is that you have to know how a word is spelled before you can look it up to…” — Will Cuppy", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Will Cuppy", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/will-cuppy/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "The trouble with the dictionary is...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/the-trouble-with-the-dictionary-is-that-you-have-to-know-how-a-word/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/will-cuppy/the-trouble-with-the-dictionary-is-that-you-have-to-know-how-a-word/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```