Dictionary of the English Language

On this day--April 15--in 1755, Dr. Samuel Johnson published his Dictionary of the English Language.

According to Today in Literature, the dictionary was "the first significant work of its kind in English, most notable for the precision of its definitions and the inclusion of exemplary quotations . . .."

It is also a famous exemplum of Johnson's ascerbic wit:

He defined "oats" as "a grain which in England is generally given to horses, but in Scotland supports the people"; being a Tory, he defined "Whig" as "the name of a faction"; having been snubbed in his effort to obtain financial backing for his Dictionary from Lord Chesterfield, he defined "patron" as "commonly a wretch who supports with insolence, and is paid with flattery." (Today in Literature)

You can read more of his colorful entries at a web site sponsored by the libraries of Stanford University.

You might also enjoy The Samuel Johnson Sound Bite Page which contains over 1,800 of Dr. Johnson's quotes and quips. He was arguably the most quoted man of the 18th c.

"Sir, I have found you an argument; but I am not obliged to find you an understanding." --from Boswell's Life of Johnson