If you’re a writer, you probably enjoy words. And if you enjoy words, you need to check out Merriam-Webster’s website.
I first found this website several years ago when I bought the latest edition of Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, the dictionary of choice of a substantial number of trade book publishers. Not only can you look up the definitions and correct spellings of words, but you can listen to mini-podcasts to learn their correct pronunciations, get a leg up on new words being added to the dictionary, learn English if you’re not a native speaker, learn regional and unusual words and terms submitted by readers, and play a variety of word games. You can also subscribe to premium services for writers and editors and browse the online store.
In addition, you can sign up to have the “Word of the Day” delivered to your inbox. I’ve been getting this daily email for several years now and often find myself learning new words or new (or correct) definitions of old words. As an editor, I’ve found this daily email very helpful and can highly recommend it.
Since Merriam-Webster’s dictionaries are the dictionaries so many trade book publishers follow, if you write commercial fiction (such as mystery, romance, or fantasy), regularly checking this website would not be a waste of time. And it’s fun!
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Fun with Webster
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*Elaine,
On Research,
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14 comments:
Hi Elaine,
What a wonderful site for a writer.
Thanks for the link and the information.
Terrie
I used to be on the word a day list, but for some reason, I no longer am.
I started reading the dictionary when I was seven. When I was reporting I'd pick it up and browse knowing it would give me a story idea.
I still read it and I still get distracted when I go to look up a word and find myself 10 or 15 minutes later still reading and trying to remember what it was I wanted to look up.
Don't believe I dare go to that site.
I love the Word of the Day.
The Merriam-Webster includes so many useful extras, I need to figure out why my audio player's not working with their clips (yet!). Of proper historical names and foreign idioms (Latin and otherwise), there are loads I use from reading, but never hear aloud. I love getting pronunciations, so I know whether Pliny the Elder is more like Pleye-nee or Plih-nee.
Great tip, Elaine!
I also like dictionary.com, which also has a word of the day. So much geeky fun for wordy folk!
Darn it, Elaine! I already spend far too much time on the computer...now you've given me yet another fun place to spend hours... I'm blaming you for my fat butt! :)
I'll take your WORD for it! Kids at school used to accuse me of reading the dictionary for fun. They're right!
I made up the word/name "Kruffler" to designate a person who would muck through the leaf-laden underforest of words, searching for exactly the perfect one, both denotatively and connotatively to fit the sentence. It's a take off on the idea of a "Truffle" pig.
Oink, oink!
Nan
Terrie- I'm glad you like the MW site.
Travis- Those 2-liners of yours I've seen make it clear you're a master of words.
Leah- Whoda eva thunk, huh? I have the same problem.
Clare- I've always pronounced Pliny with a long i.
Laura- The Urban Dictionary is another fun site.
Bag Lady- I'll have to find a fitness site to write about for us.
Nan,
I always wondered where you found Kruffler. I should have known.
Terrie
Nan- What a great word and great name!
Elaine-
So did I, but Merriam-Webster says clear as day (yay- I can hear it now!) Pli-nee with a short i.
Now, what do I do in erudite conversations? I'm only going to talk about Homer. Less controversial.
Clare- Just do what I do. When I mispronounce something and someone corrects me, I say, "Well, I know how to spell it!" I'm terrible at pronunciation. It comes from being raised by a mother just off the boat from Germany and a father from Queens. I'm known to just stop dead in the middle of a sentence and hem and haw while trying to figure out how to get around the offending word. Drives my kids insane!
Clare - pronounce it anyway you want, and if someone calls you on it, just tell them you're British (those folks get away with murder, the way they talk....) :)
Kidding, really.....
Good advice, Elaine. Literacy trumps blowhardiness, though you've never lacked eloquence that I've heard : )
BL- I couldn't say I was Canadian? Meeting Pliny at the Tim Horton's after the Leafs game?
Heck, I'm already from the South. Once you pronounce Poinsettia- Poynsetta, mispronouncing Pliny's small potatoes.
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