National Dictionary Day

Pictorial Webster's: a Visual Dictionary of Curiosities

Don't make the mistake of thinking of this book as a practical dictionary for definitions. This is simply a feast for the eyes. It features "over 1,500 engravings that originally graced the pages of Webster's dictionaries in the 19th century ... compiled into an alluring and unusual visual reference guide for the modern day. Images range from the entirely mysterious to the classically iconic." (Chronicle Books)

A Dictionary of the Ojibway Language by Frederic Baraga

This book is a classic Ojibway-English/English-Ojibway dictionary that was first published in 1853 and is still considered to be the most comprehensive and accurate lexicon available of the Ojibway language. It is an important cultural and linguistic resource for historians, anthropologists, linguists, ethnologists, and all students interested in the Ojibway language.

Here is a quick summary of the Ojibway words and phrases related to beavers, from Baraga's dictionary:

• Amik: beaver
• Amikons: young beaver
• Awenishê: young beaver under two years
• Abôiawe: young beaver between two and three years
• Bakêmik, patamik: young beaver of three years
• Nabémick: male beaver
• Nojêmik: female beaver
• Andjimik: female beaver bearing young ones
• Nin nandomikwe, nin nodamikwe: I hunt beavers

The Ojibwe people have a saying: "nind amikwagis," which means "I live like a beaver." This saying reflects the Ojibwe people's deep appreciation for the beaver and its way of life.

A Dictionary of the English Language by Samuel Johnson, 1755, Volume 1

Johnson's dictionary includes over 40,000 entries, each of which includes a definition, examples of usage, and information about the etymology of the word. The definitions are often witty and insightful, and the examples of usage are drawn from a wide range of sources, including literature, science, and philosophy. It was the first dictionary to attempt to define and illustrate the meaning of every word in the English language, and it was the standard English dictionary for over a century.

The word "beaver" in Samuel Johnson's 1755 dictionary has three distinct meanings:

1. An animal: Johnson describes the beaver as an amphibious animal that is remarkable for its skill in building its habitation. He also mentions that the beaver's fur is very valuable.
2. A hat: Johnson notes that a beaver hat is the best kind of hat, and that it is made from beaver fur.
3. Part of a helmet: Johnson describes the beaver of a helmet as the part that covers the face.

The first two meanings of "beaver" are still in use today. The third meaning is less common, but it can still be found in some contexts, such as in descriptions of historical armor.

Dictionary of American Regional English

The Dictionary of American Regional English is a record of American English as spoken in the United States. In this entry for the word "hotdish," the yummy casserole-like dish that many in the midwest are familiar with, we can see that use of the word is quite prevalent in Wisconsin and Minnesota, but less so in North Dakota and Michigan. According to this map, many people on the west coast, east cost, and in the south would likely not know what "tatertot hotdish" was! 

The Dictionary of Imaginary Places

Described as "a catalogue of fantasy lands, islands, cities, and other locations from world literature." It includes entries such as Atlantis, Lewis Carroll's Wonderland, C.S. Lewis' Narnia, and of course, the middle earth of J.R.R. Tolkien's stories. Lots of fantastic illustrations as well. 

The encyclopaedia Sherlockiana, or, A universal dictionary of the state of knowledge of Sherlock Holmes and his biographer John H. Watson M.D.

For the true fan or scholar: An illustrated dictionary that explains references in the Sherlock Holmes detective stories necessary to an understanding of their setting in Victorian England.

Lumberjack Lingo, by L.G. Sorden

Lumberjack Lingo is a dictionary of the language used by lumberjacks in the northeastern and upper midwestern United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries. It includes terms related to the logging process, the lumberjack lifestyle, the lumberjack vernacular, and the lumberjack culture.

The term "bank beavers" in Lumberjack Lingo by L.G. Sorden refers to the lumberjacks who were responsible for driving the rear of a log drive. This was a dangerous and demanding job, as the bank beavers had to use their skill and experience to keep the logs moving and prevent them from jamming. They also had to be prepared to deal with hazards such as rapids, falls, and other obstacles.

The term "bank beavers" is a colorful and evocative one, and it captures the essence of this important and challenging job. It also highlights the camaraderie and teamwork that was essential for lumberjacks to succeed in this dangerous environment.