Imagine spending years of your life reading every single word in the Oxford English Dictionary over 20 volumes, thousands of pages, and hundreds of thousands of entries. That is exactly what Ammon Shea did, and he chronicled this extraordinary journey in his book Reading the OED One Man, One Year, 21,730 Pages. This unique work is not just a memoir, but a deep reflection on language, obsession, and the beauty of words that often go unnoticed. Reading the OED is a celebration of lexicography and the English language itself, full of wit, insight, and fascinating discoveries.
Who is Ammon Shea?
Ammon Shea is a writer and former furniture mover with an undeniable passion for words. Before undertaking the challenge of reading the entire Oxford English Dictionary (OED), he had already immersed himself in dictionaries and unusual word collections. With Reading the OED, Shea brought his quirky love for obscure vocabulary to the public eye. He spent one full year devoted to this project, reading page after page of definitions and etymologies, and documenting his thoughts, favorite words, and daily frustrations along the way.
The Scope of the OED
The Oxford English Dictionary is one of the most comprehensive records of the English language. Unlike standard dictionaries, the OED provides historical development for each word, showing how meanings and usage have evolved over centuries. It includes obscure, archaic, regional, and even obsolete terms. The full 20-volume set is a massive linguistic treasure, and reading it from start to finish is a task that few have even considered, let alone completed.
What Makes the Book Unique?
Reading the OED is not structured like a conventional dictionary or a dry academic study. Instead, it is a personal and humorous narrative of one man’s interaction with the vast English lexicon. Shea writes about his reactions to particular words, his mental and physical exhaustion, and the joy he finds in discovering terms that have long been forgotten. Each chapter of the book is based on a letter of the alphabet, with Shea sharing his favorite discoveries and oddities from that section of the dictionary.
The book doesn’t aim to teach the reader all the words in the OED. Rather, it offers a sampling of the strangest, funniest, or most meaningful words Shea encountered. His selections are often delightfully eccentric, and he provides brief commentary on why a certain word stood out to him. For example, words like jobler (one who does small jobs) or peristeronic (pertaining to pigeons) become tiny linguistic treasures in his hands.
Why Read Reading the OED?
Shea’s book is a love letter to language. It’s ideal for readers who enjoy
- Wordplay and unusual vocabulary
- Lexicography and the history of English
- Humorous and reflective nonfiction
- Insights into obsessive, bookish behavior
Beyond its literary charm, Reading the OED taps into a deeper curiosity many readers have about words. Where do they come from? How have they changed over time? Why do we abandon some terms while others remain? Shea doesn’t answer all these questions directly, but his journey raises them in ways that are both entertaining and thought-provoking.
A Book for Word Lovers
At its core, this is a book about the joy of discovery. Each entry that Shea highlights is a reminder of how vast and diverse the English language truly is. The book encourages readers to appreciate the small, often unnoticed corners of vocabulary those words that never make it into casual conversation but are rich with meaning and history.
Even if you’ve never considered reading a dictionary for pleasure, Shea’s enthusiasm is contagious. His musings range from hilarious to deeply insightful. He reflects on how certain words mirror human emotions or cultural shifts, and how others simply delight the tongue when spoken aloud. The book invites readers to see the English language not as a fixed system, but as a living, evolving story.
Challenges of Reading the OED
Shea does not shy away from describing the difficulties he faced. The OED is not easy reading. It’s dense, repetitive, and filled with tiny print. Shea often describes fatigue, eye strain, and mental exhaustion. At times, he questions the purpose of the endeavor, wondering whether the information he is consuming has any practical value. Yet, through it all, he persists not just out of stubbornness, but because of a deep reverence for the power of words.
His commitment highlights the difference between reading for pleasure and reading for obsession. Many readers may see the OED as a reference book, something to consult occasionally. For Shea, it became a consuming project, a full-time pursuit that required discipline and dedication. In doing so, he transformed the act of reading into an almost meditative practice.
Memorable Words and Favorites
One of the most enjoyable aspects of Reading the OED is discovering the words Shea collects along the way. Some are humorous, others are poignant, and a few are simply bizarre. Here are a few highlights
- Apricity– The warmth of the sun in winter
- Snollygoster– A shrewd, unprincipled person, especially a politician
- Quomodocunquize– To make money by any means possible
- Yepsen– The amount of food that can be held in two hands cupped together
- Zugzwang– A position in chess where any move worsens the player’s situation
Each word comes with a story, a reflection, or a playful anecdote. Shea’s voice makes even the most obscure entry feel relatable and alive. These sections add texture and humor, allowing readers to enjoy the book even if they have no interest in dictionaries themselves.
The Cultural Impact
Reading the OED has inspired a wider interest in lexicography among casual readers. It demonstrates that dictionaries are not just tools for spelling or grammar but rich sources of cultural and historical knowledge. Language lovers, writers, and trivia enthusiasts have found in Shea’s book a reminder of how magical words can be.
While not a bestseller in the conventional sense, the book developed a strong cult following. It’s often recommended by educators, linguists, and book clubs seeking something off the beaten path. Its accessibility, humor, and thoughtful tone make it suitable for a broad audience.
Reading the OED is more than just a book about reading a dictionary it’s an exploration of human curiosity, endurance, and love for language. Ammon Shea’s commitment to such a monumental task reveals the hidden beauty in the mundane and the overlooked. His reflections encourage readers to slow down and savor the richness of the English language.
For anyone who enjoys discovering forgotten words, pondering the quirks of English, or simply following an unconventional reading journey, Reading the OED is an unforgettable experience. It reminds us that even the most ambitious projects begin with a single page and sometimes, a single word.