According to H. L. Mencken’s The American Language, Noah Webster wrote the first truly American dictionary (which was “not cordially received” when it appeared in 1806). A two-volume version issued in 1828 sold well, but made no profit, so Webster hired Joseph Worcester to prepare a one-volume abridgement. Worcester did so, then published his own competing dictionary—the first of many versions to come.

When Webster died in 1843, George and Charles Merriam bought the rights from quarreling heirs, and in 1847 brought out a new one-volume version. It sold for $6. Mencken tells us that the dictionary “took immediate hold,” and was soon present in “almost every literate household?.” Many other dictionaries—some good, some not— have since used the name, as anyone can.

A desk dictionary we find reliable and useful is the collegiate edition of Webster’s New World Dictionary. We’re only a little smug about finding an error or two in the third edition. We reported them to the editors, who graciously acknowledged them, and promised to correct them in the next edition.

Read the Front Pages

For example, you’ll learn that a dictionary is descriptive, not prescriptive. That is, the editors set out to describe American English as we use it, not to tell us how it should be used. We speakers invent new words all the time, and if enough people start using these words, guess what? Eventually, they’ll pop up in the dictionary.

Have you ever heard people say “I was surprised to see that what I thought was the best meaning was listed last.” They should check the front pages. They’d learn that most good dictionaries list definitions in chronological order?oldest first, newest (and often best) last. A good dictionary is one of the best writing tools we have. So keep one within reach, and reach for it often. But be sure to read the front pages first.