stackpool
05/30/11, 08:18 PM
I hope this is an acceptable request: I once came across a reference to a dictionary that was compiled in (probably) the 18th century. Its peculiarity was that the compiler had made up a small but significant number of the headwords and their definitions himself.
I am a costumed heritage presenter, and I would be very interested in finding out more about this dictionary.
However, I can't remember who the compiler was, and cannot find a reference to it online.
The only thing about this dictionary that has — understandably — remained in my mind was that the compiler had invented a word that he defined as "to soil one's britches" ... or words to that effect.
Is there anyone who knows who the compiler was, or what his dictionary was called? Or simply what the coinage to which I refer was?
(I just realised that I should point out that I'm not referring to Samuel Johnson here...)
Many thanks in advance!
I am a costumed heritage presenter, and I would be very interested in finding out more about this dictionary.
However, I can't remember who the compiler was, and cannot find a reference to it online.
The only thing about this dictionary that has — understandably — remained in my mind was that the compiler had invented a word that he defined as "to soil one's britches" ... or words to that effect.
Is there anyone who knows who the compiler was, or what his dictionary was called? Or simply what the coinage to which I refer was?
(I just realised that I should point out that I'm not referring to Samuel Johnson here...)
Many thanks in advance!