The story of ain't: America, its language, and the most controversial dictionary ever published
(Book)
Author:
Published:
New York, NY : Harper, [2012].
Format:
Book
Edition:
First edition.
Physical Desc:
xiv, 349 pages ; 24 cm
Status:
Description
"It takes true brilliance to lift the arid tellings of lexicographic fussing into the readable realm of the thriller and the bodice-ripper….David Skinner has done precisely this, taking a fine story and honing it to popular perfection." -Simon Winchester, New York Times bestselling author of The Professor and the Madman The Story of Ain't by David Skinner is the captivating true chronicle of the creation of Merriam Webster's Third New International Dictionary in 1961, the most controversial dictionary ever published. Skinner's surprising and engaging, erudite and witty account will enthrall fans of Winchester's The Professor and the Madman and The Meaning of Everything, and The Know-It-All by A.J. Jacobs, as it explores a culture in transition and the brilliant, colorful individuals behind it. The Story of Ain't is a smart, often outrageous, and altogether remarkable tale of how egos, infighting, and controversy shaped one of America's most authoritative language texts, sparking a furious language debate that the late, great author David Foster Wallace (Infinite Jest) once called "the Fort Sumter of the Usage Wars."
Copies
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Status
East Lyme Public Adult Non-Fiction
423.09 Skinner
On Shelf
Gales Ferry (LPL) Nonfiction
423.0973 Ski
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Guilford Adult Non-Fiction
423.09 SKINNER
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Hamden/Miller Adult Nonfiction 3rd Floor
423.09/SKI
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New London Adult Non Fiction
423.09 SKI
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Old Saybrook/Acton Adult Non-Fiction
423.09 SKINNER
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Orange/Case Adult Nonfiction Book
423.09 Skinner
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Links
More Details
Language:
Unknown
ISBN:
9780062027467
Notes
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references.
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Citations
APA Citation (style guide)
Skinner, D. (2012). The story of ain't: America, its language, and the most controversial dictionary ever published. First edition. Harper.
Chicago / Turabian - Author Date Citation (style guide)Skinner, David, 1973-. 2012. The Story of Ain't: America, Its Language, and the Most Controversial Dictionary Ever Published. Harper.
Chicago / Turabian - Humanities Citation (style guide)Skinner, David, 1973-, The Story of Ain't: America, Its Language, and the Most Controversial Dictionary Ever Published. Harper, 2012.
MLA Citation (style guide)Skinner, David. The Story of Ain't: America, Its Language, and the Most Controversial Dictionary Ever Published. First edition. Harper, 2012.
Note! Citation formats are based on standards as of July 2022. Citations contain only title, author, edition, publisher, and year published. Citations should be used as a guideline and should be double checked for accuracy.
Staff View
Grouped Work ID:
8c052ef9-cd7d-0c3b-8ff8-d6ed41cf10ae
Record Information
| Last Sierra Extract Time | Mar 23, 2025 08:00:48 PM |
|---|---|
| Last File Modification Time | Mar 23, 2025 08:01:24 PM |
| Last Grouped Work Modification Time | Mar 30, 2025 09:38:23 PM |
MARC Record
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| 250 | |a First edition. | ||
| 264 | 1 | |a New York, NY : |b Harper, |c [2012] | |
| 300 | |a xiv, 349 pages ; |c 24 cm | ||
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| 504 | |a Includes bibliographical references. | ||
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| 630 | 0 | 0 | |a Webster's third new international dictionary of the English language unabridged. |
| 650 | 0 | |a Encyclopedias and dictionaries |x History and criticism. |0 http://id.loc.gov/authorities/subjects/sh85042999 | |
| 650 | 0 | |a English language |x Lexicography |x History |y 20th century. | |
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