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Reading the Oxford English Dictionary: One Man, One Year, 21,730 Pages - Bilingual quotes that celebrate the beauty of language, showcasing meaningful expressions in two unique perspectives.

Reading the Oxford English Dictionary: One Man, One Year, 21,730 Pages - Bilingual quotes that celebrate the beauty of language, showcasing meaningful expressions in two unique perspectives.

"Reading the Oxford English Dictionary" chronicles the journey of journalist Ammon Shea as he embarks on a year-long project to read the entire Oxford English Dictionary, which consists of over 21,000 pages. Shea's unique adventure combines his love for language with an eclectic exploration of the dictionary's rich content. The book isn't just about the words; it's a deep dive into the history and evolution of the English language, revealing how words reflect culture and society.

Throughout the narrative, Shea shares anecdotes and insights that illuminate the quirks and complexities of the English language. He discusses the dictionary's origins, how it has been compiled, and the various meanings and nuances words can convey. His humorous and engaging prose makes readers appreciate the beauty and depth of language, as well as the labor involved in creating such a comprehensive linguistic resource.

Shea's book serves not only as a memoir of his reading experience but also as a love letter to the art of lexicography. By merging personal reflections with linguistic exploration, he captivates readers and invites them to consider the importance of words in daily life. The journey provides a fresh perspective on language, urging us to cherish the dictionary as a vital tool for understanding and communicating in an increasingly complex world.

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Taffy. He thinks about taffy. He thinks it would take his teeth out now, but he would eat it anyhow, if it meant eating it with her.
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All our human endeavours are like that, she reflected, and it is only because we are too ignorant to realize it, or are too forgetful to remember it, that we have the confidence to build something that is meant to last.
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In fact, none of us knows how he ever managed to get his LLB in the first place. Maybe they're putting law degrees in cornflakes boxes these days.
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The value of money is subjective, depending on age. At the age of one, one multiplies the actual sum by 145,000, making one pound seem like 145,000 pounds to a one-year-old. At seven – Bertie's age – the multiplier is 24, so that five pounds seems like 120 pounds. At the age of twenty four, five pounds is five pounds; at forty five it is divided by 5, so that it seems like one pound and one pound seems like twenty pence. {All figures courtesy of Scottish Government Advice Leaflet: Handling your Money.}
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