Jesse Sheidlower
@jessesword.com
Lexicographer. The F-Word (new edition Nov. ’24!), sfdictionary.com, ex-OED, coder (mainly Perl and Python), Threesome Tollbooth #cocktail bar manager, adjunct @ Columbia. "Appealingly obsessive" — NYT
Pinned
Jesse Sheidlower
@jessesword.com
· Oct 22
News: the 4th edition of The F-Word is coming out in two weeks from Oxford UP! Everything you could want to know about the word _fuck_.
This is a major revision: 500 pages with 150 new entries, 150 antedatings, & 2,500 new quotations. See link below for more info!
jessesword.com/fword.html
This is a major revision: 500 pages with 150 new entries, 150 antedatings, & 2,500 new quotations. See link below for more info!
jessesword.com/fword.html
I finally got one of those scam book-club invites. I feel like a real writer now!
September 26, 2026 at 3:22 PM
I finally got one of those scam book-club invites. I feel like a real writer now!
Today I listened to Fairport Convention's "Fotheringay" for the millionth time, & it occurred to me to wonder about _captive_ 'serving to confine', in "her captive walls".
OED, in an early & unrevised entry, doesn't have this sense, so I found exx. from the 17th C. onwards and sent it in.
OED, in an early & unrevised entry, doesn't have this sense, so I found exx. from the 17th C. onwards and sent it in.
September 25, 2026 at 12:52 AM
Today I listened to Fairport Convention's "Fotheringay" for the millionth time, & it occurred to me to wonder about _captive_ 'serving to confine', in "her captive walls".
OED, in an early & unrevised entry, doesn't have this sense, so I found exx. from the 17th C. onwards and sent it in.
OED, in an early & unrevised entry, doesn't have this sense, so I found exx. from the 17th C. onwards and sent it in.
Today's antedating for the Historical #Dictionary of #ScienceFiction: "farside", for the non-Earth-facing side of the Moon (often as a placename), from 1958 to 1949. Plus the usual cleanup.
sfdictionary.com/view/1591/fa...
sfdictionary.com/view/1591/fa...
Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction: farside
Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction
sfdictionary.com
September 22, 2026 at 2:43 PM
Today's antedating for the Historical #Dictionary of #ScienceFiction: "farside", for the non-Earth-facing side of the Moon (often as a placename), from 1958 to 1949. Plus the usual cleanup.
sfdictionary.com/view/1591/fa...
sfdictionary.com/view/1591/fa...
Reposted by Jesse Sheidlower
JohnsonsDictionaryOnline.com is currently offline following a malware attack. UCF's IT security team is working on remediation, but we don't yet know when the site will be restored. Updates will be posted here as we have them. Apologies for the inconvenience!
https://JohnsonsDictionaryOnline.com
JohnsonsDictionaryOnline.com
September 20, 2026 at 6:35 PM
JohnsonsDictionaryOnline.com is currently offline following a malware attack. UCF's IT security team is working on remediation, but we don't yet know when the site will be restored. Updates will be posted here as we have them. Apologies for the inconvenience!
Reposted by Jesse Sheidlower
I guess it's time to dust this post off again. www.arrantpedantry.com/2021/11/08/i...
September 18, 2026 at 4:47 PM
I guess it's time to dust this post off again. www.arrantpedantry.com/2021/11/08/i...
The NYT tells you why people shouldn't use a #dictionary to find out what words mean.
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/17/m...
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/17/m...
Sorry, Webster. Most People Don’t Want Internet Slang in the Dictionary.
Static definitions of “rizz,” “goblin mode” and “beige flag” don’t easily explain the words’ meanings. But we could use reference formats that do.
www.nytimes.com
September 18, 2026 at 2:53 PM
The NYT tells you why people shouldn't use a #dictionary to find out what words mean.
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/17/m...
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/17/m...
A Bluesky "autoplay" question, for anyone who can answer (perhaps @joshuajfriedman.com):
Every time I log in anew, I have to go to Settings -> Content & Media -> Autoplay videos and GIFs, and disable it. Is there any way to make this sticky? It make no sense to have to do this every time.
Every time I log in anew, I have to go to Settings -> Content & Media -> Autoplay videos and GIFs, and disable it. Is there any way to make this sticky? It make no sense to have to do this every time.
September 17, 2026 at 6:14 PM
A Bluesky "autoplay" question, for anyone who can answer (perhaps @joshuajfriedman.com):
Every time I log in anew, I have to go to Settings -> Content & Media -> Autoplay videos and GIFs, and disable it. Is there any way to make this sticky? It make no sense to have to do this every time.
Every time I log in anew, I have to go to Settings -> Content & Media -> Autoplay videos and GIFs, and disable it. Is there any way to make this sticky? It make no sense to have to do this every time.
Today's nice antedating for the Historical #Dictionary of #ScienceFiction: "earthfall", for landing on Earth (after nautical "landfall"), from 1952 to 1943.
A very recent example would be great: hard to search because of the videogame and the O.S. Card novel.
sfdictionary.com/view/2297/ea...
A very recent example would be great: hard to search because of the videogame and the O.S. Card novel.
sfdictionary.com/view/2297/ea...
Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction: earthfall
Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction
sfdictionary.com
September 17, 2026 at 3:47 PM
Today's nice antedating for the Historical #Dictionary of #ScienceFiction: "earthfall", for landing on Earth (after nautical "landfall"), from 1952 to 1943.
A very recent example would be great: hard to search because of the videogame and the O.S. Card novel.
sfdictionary.com/view/2297/ea...
A very recent example would be great: hard to search because of the videogame and the O.S. Card novel.
sfdictionary.com/view/2297/ea...
Reposted by Jesse Sheidlower
New words just dropped.
www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/new...
www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/new...
1,400 New Words and Definitions Added to Merriam-Webster.com
Including vibe coding, yacht rock, parasocial, and Mandela Effect
www.merriam-webster.com
September 15, 2026 at 2:02 PM
New words just dropped.
www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/new...
www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/new...
Have the rare good fortune to have access to a secondary space, which will have storage for books. So I'm initially bringing over everything so important that I have multiple copies.
(Plus the original Century Dictionary, the 1911 (11th) edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, &c.)
(Plus the original Century Dictionary, the 1911 (11th) edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, &c.)
September 11, 2026 at 5:19 PM
Have the rare good fortune to have access to a secondary space, which will have storage for books. So I'm initially bringing over everything so important that I have multiple copies.
(Plus the original Century Dictionary, the 1911 (11th) edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, &c.)
(Plus the original Century Dictionary, the 1911 (11th) edition of the Encyclopedia Britannica, &c.)
A few related antedatings for the Historical #Dictionary of #ScienceFiction: "cyborged", from 1976 to 1968; "cyborging", a big 1989 to 1968; "cyborgized", 1989 to 1987. Also cleaned up nearby entries.
sfdictionary.com/view/599/cyb...
sfdictionary.com/view/1499/cy...
sfdictionary.com/view/1479/cy...
sfdictionary.com/view/599/cyb...
sfdictionary.com/view/1499/cy...
sfdictionary.com/view/1479/cy...
Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction: cyborged
Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction
sfdictionary.com
September 11, 2026 at 3:14 PM
A few related antedatings for the Historical #Dictionary of #ScienceFiction: "cyborged", from 1976 to 1968; "cyborging", a big 1989 to 1968; "cyborgized", 1989 to 1987. Also cleaned up nearby entries.
sfdictionary.com/view/599/cyb...
sfdictionary.com/view/1499/cy...
sfdictionary.com/view/1479/cy...
sfdictionary.com/view/599/cyb...
sfdictionary.com/view/1499/cy...
sfdictionary.com/view/1479/cy...
Headline I will automatically click on: "Carolyn Forché Once Got the O.E.D. for Valentine’s Day".
("I haven’t finished it yet.")
#dictionary @carolynforche.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/10/b...
("I haven’t finished it yet.")
#dictionary @carolynforche.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/10/b...
www.nytimes.com
September 11, 2026 at 1:20 PM
Headline I will automatically click on: "Carolyn Forché Once Got the O.E.D. for Valentine’s Day".
("I haven’t finished it yet.")
#dictionary @carolynforche.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/10/b...
("I haven’t finished it yet.")
#dictionary @carolynforche.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2026/09/10/b...
The thing that I realized in passing from this excellent video: Robert Bringhurst's classic _Elements of Typographic Style_ is out of print? What?
She waved it and I thought, "Oh, I need to buy this for a friend [which I've done before]," and then discovered…this won't be easy. How can this be?!
She waved it and I thought, "Oh, I need to buy this for a friend [which I've done before]," and then discovered…this won't be easy. How can this be?!
I am the very model of a modern day typographer
A font take on the tune “Modern Major General” by Gilbert & Sullivan
#typography #fonts #graphicdesign
A font take on the tune “Modern Major General” by Gilbert & Sullivan
#typography #fonts #graphicdesign
September 8, 2026 at 7:39 PM
The thing that I realized in passing from this excellent video: Robert Bringhurst's classic _Elements of Typographic Style_ is out of print? What?
She waved it and I thought, "Oh, I need to buy this for a friend [which I've done before]," and then discovered…this won't be easy. How can this be?!
She waved it and I thought, "Oh, I need to buy this for a friend [which I've done before]," and then discovered…this won't be easy. How can this be?!
Reposted by Jesse Sheidlower
It's hard enough for me to deaccession books from my own collection.
But now I'm "helping" a friend move, and the books on her giveaway pile, I'm either insisting that she keep, or taking for myself.
This is not very effective.
But now I'm "helping" a friend move, and the books on her giveaway pile, I'm either insisting that she keep, or taking for myself.
This is not very effective.
September 7, 2026 at 3:42 PM
It's hard enough for me to deaccession books from my own collection.
But now I'm "helping" a friend move, and the books on her giveaway pile, I'm either insisting that she keep, or taking for myself.
This is not very effective.
But now I'm "helping" a friend move, and the books on her giveaway pile, I'm either insisting that she keep, or taking for myself.
This is not very effective.
It's hard enough for me to deaccession books from my own collection.
But now I'm "helping" a friend move, and the books on her giveaway pile, I'm either insisting that she keep, or taking for myself.
This is not very effective.
But now I'm "helping" a friend move, and the books on her giveaway pile, I'm either insisting that she keep, or taking for myself.
This is not very effective.
September 7, 2026 at 3:42 PM
It's hard enough for me to deaccession books from my own collection.
But now I'm "helping" a friend move, and the books on her giveaway pile, I'm either insisting that she keep, or taking for myself.
This is not very effective.
But now I'm "helping" a friend move, and the books on her giveaway pile, I'm either insisting that she keep, or taking for myself.
This is not very effective.
Reposted by Jesse Sheidlower
I've seen everyone sharing that US Dialect Quiz so I decided to make my own, much crappier, CANADIAN DIALECT QUIZ to guess where in Canada you're from
September 4, 2026 at 3:38 PM
I've seen everyone sharing that US Dialect Quiz so I decided to make my own, much crappier, CANADIAN DIALECT QUIZ to guess where in Canada you're from
The incredible opening drum bit in Spin Doctors' 1993 "Two Princes" is always described as a "drum fill"; maybe "intro fill".
All definitions/discussions of musical "fill" specify clearly that it's something between two sections. Yet this one is never "riff" or anything else.
Just an observation.
All definitions/discussions of musical "fill" specify clearly that it's something between two sections. Yet this one is never "riff" or anything else.
Just an observation.
September 4, 2026 at 3:10 PM
The incredible opening drum bit in Spin Doctors' 1993 "Two Princes" is always described as a "drum fill"; maybe "intro fill".
All definitions/discussions of musical "fill" specify clearly that it's something between two sections. Yet this one is never "riff" or anything else.
Just an observation.
All definitions/discussions of musical "fill" specify clearly that it's something between two sections. Yet this one is never "riff" or anything else.
Just an observation.
Great news for the history of the #OED, from @stephenturton.bsky.social:
www.english.ox.ac.uk/article/dr-s...
www.english.ox.ac.uk/article/dr-s...
Dr Stephen Turton awarded ERC Starting Grant for project on James Murray and the OED
www.english.ox.ac.uk
September 4, 2026 at 12:54 PM
Great news for the history of the #OED, from @stephenturton.bsky.social:
www.english.ox.ac.uk/article/dr-s...
www.english.ox.ac.uk/article/dr-s...
Reposted by Jesse Sheidlower
It's out TODAY! 🎵🖤
At rosine.bandcamp.com
Also at subvert.fm/rosine and of course all of the streaming sites. If you enjoy it, I would so appreciate you telling others about it.
Cover painting by Nancy Howell.
At rosine.bandcamp.com
Also at subvert.fm/rosine and of course all of the streaming sites. If you enjoy it, I would so appreciate you telling others about it.
Cover painting by Nancy Howell.
September 4, 2026 at 12:18 PM
It's out TODAY! 🎵🖤
At rosine.bandcamp.com
Also at subvert.fm/rosine and of course all of the streaming sites. If you enjoy it, I would so appreciate you telling others about it.
Cover painting by Nancy Howell.
At rosine.bandcamp.com
Also at subvert.fm/rosine and of course all of the streaming sites. If you enjoy it, I would so appreciate you telling others about it.
Cover painting by Nancy Howell.
Student orientation today; successfully managed a 1m talk to convince them to take my class.
Then met a former student, now faculty, who said my class was the best of her career, she still thinks about it when she writes/teaches. I thanked her, & excused myself to avoid sobbing to death in public.
Then met a former student, now faculty, who said my class was the best of her career, she still thinks about it when she writes/teaches. I thanked her, & excused myself to avoid sobbing to death in public.
September 4, 2026 at 2:48 AM
Student orientation today; successfully managed a 1m talk to convince them to take my class.
Then met a former student, now faculty, who said my class was the best of her career, she still thinks about it when she writes/teaches. I thanked her, & excused myself to avoid sobbing to death in public.
Then met a former student, now faculty, who said my class was the best of her career, she still thinks about it when she writes/teaches. I thanked her, & excused myself to avoid sobbing to death in public.
Fascinating, detailed thread from @teorth.bsky.social (who has only a marginal presence here) about why AI-assisted solutions to even important problems in mathematics, would in fact usually be a net negative for the progress of math.
mastodon.social/@tao@mathsto...
mastodon.social/@tao@mathsto...
Mastodon
mastodon.social
September 3, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Fascinating, detailed thread from @teorth.bsky.social (who has only a marginal presence here) about why AI-assisted solutions to even important problems in mathematics, would in fact usually be a net negative for the progress of math.
mastodon.social/@tao@mathsto...
mastodon.social/@tao@mathsto...
In case you missed it last week, @kolatubosun.bsky.social on neologisms in Yorùbá. Includes #OED content!
#dictionary
flaminghydra.com/fat-coke-bot...
#dictionary
flaminghydra.com/fat-coke-bot...
Fat Coke Bottles and Other Inventions
Slightly over a decade ago, I heard the Yorùbá word “jápa” for the first time.
It’s always a bit jarring to hear a new word spoken in one’s native language. Sometimes it’s an archaic word, or one...
flaminghydra.com
September 3, 2026 at 2:10 PM
In case you missed it last week, @kolatubosun.bsky.social on neologisms in Yorùbá. Includes #OED content!
#dictionary
flaminghydra.com/fat-coke-bot...
#dictionary
flaminghydra.com/fat-coke-bot...
On martinis.
get into the back-to-school spirit with me!
Gin
It’s back-to-campus time!
littlequeenskitchen.substack.com
September 2, 2026 at 5:22 PM
On martinis.
Help me, Internet!
I need to find these glasses. These are basic glasses, not crystal, not fancy in any way. 16 oz highballs. The lower part has four indentations in a cruciform pattern. Pix are of two different versions, and I've seen others, but don't know how to search for them! Help!
I need to find these glasses. These are basic glasses, not crystal, not fancy in any way. 16 oz highballs. The lower part has four indentations in a cruciform pattern. Pix are of two different versions, and I've seen others, but don't know how to search for them! Help!
September 2, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Help me, Internet!
I need to find these glasses. These are basic glasses, not crystal, not fancy in any way. 16 oz highballs. The lower part has four indentations in a cruciform pattern. Pix are of two different versions, and I've seen others, but don't know how to search for them! Help!
I need to find these glasses. These are basic glasses, not crystal, not fancy in any way. 16 oz highballs. The lower part has four indentations in a cruciform pattern. Pix are of two different versions, and I've seen others, but don't know how to search for them! Help!
Today's trivial-even-by-lax-standards antedating for the Historical #Dictionary of #ScienceFiction: "Bradburian", in reference to the writing of Ray Bradbury. Originally Lin Carter in July 1951, now Lin Carter in March 1951. Huzzah!
sfdictionary.com/view/2519/br...
sfdictionary.com/view/2519/br...
Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction: Bradburian
Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction
sfdictionary.com
September 2, 2026 at 2:54 PM
Today's trivial-even-by-lax-standards antedating for the Historical #Dictionary of #ScienceFiction: "Bradburian", in reference to the writing of Ray Bradbury. Originally Lin Carter in July 1951, now Lin Carter in March 1951. Huzzah!
sfdictionary.com/view/2519/br...
sfdictionary.com/view/2519/br...