This happens to be about something that has become my constant companion since I’ve started blogging. The one item that can get me out of a jam and make me appear at least fairly intelligent and coherent most of the time, although it hasn’t always kept me from making a fool of myself. And even though it was second hand when I bought it, it was in much better shape than the tattered, torn, yellow-page, stained, taped together specimen that you see here today.
But that’s not the problem. This edition was published in 1961 and we all know there’s a zillion new words that have been added to the English language since then, so yes this book is way out of date. And unlike some things that get better with age (me, wine, cheese) this isn’t one of them, so does that mean I’ll be throwing this old, decrepit one out with the trash? Nope. It still comes in handy, like just now for instance when I looked up decrepit. (I, for one, find that spell/check isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be), and if I can’t find what I’m looking for in here, I can always go to Webster on line.
So, I’ll be hanging on to this old, worn out, ratty looking thing even though it’s not quite as useful as it once was. Even though it’s past it’s prime.
Hmmm…come to think of it, some of this does sound as though it could be about me.
23 comments:
oh, i thought this post would be about me. didn't even occur to me that it might be about you. and that's why i'm your favorite... i tell you what you want to hear!
Oh Boy, it didn't take long for FD#2 to suck up now did it???
At first I figured it would be about something you found in the fridge. But then I remembered you don't have anything in there. Then I thought it might be about something you found from our childhood (like an old diaper or something yukky). But now I realize you're not really the neurotic pack rat I thought you were. (can I use your dictionary to check neurotic?)
Fl Brat (aka FD#3)
You hang on to that tattered old book. I have one very similar that I reach for often!
Not only is your post hilarious, I see your 'favorite daughters' are equally humorous! Every now and then I can't find a word in my 'old dictionary'...you're right...just go online. I'm not getting rid of mine, either!
The 60's were a great time--definitely hang on to this one! If I threw everything out of my house that was made before 1970, it would be a lot less cluttered:) Good to see your daughters have their mother's sense of humor:)
That old book has been through alot, and now it is shabby chic. Don't get rid of it, there are more than likely many many bloggers out there almost begging to get their hands on it. LOL. Just think of the shabby chic treatments they could do to it.
Hey, I am the absolute worst speller, good thing for dictionaries, and spell check.
Jen
NVAM,
I wondered if you were going to beat her to it. If you would have been in the same room, I can see you fighting over the keyboard and knocking each other out of the chair in order to be first.
And what do you mean you only tell me what I want to hear??
Fl brat,
Seems to me that you're kinda being bratty in an around about way there. Hmmm?? And there's no need to check my book for neurotic, just ask your "past his prime" hubby if you can use his. (Hey, I didn't say I wasn't going to be bratty)
Mildred,
Definitely gonna keep it even if "older is better" doesn't apply here.
Betty,
They do have a very weird sense of humor, don't they? Wonder where they picked that up.
Rose,
lol, my house too!!
No, no they don't have my humor. Mine is much more refined and classy than theirs:)
Jen,
Oh I like that. "Shabby Chic" Just like me:)
Being that it's such an old book, it takes trusticles to put all your faith in that old dictionary.
I don't think I even OWN a dictionary, (uh oh)!
I should get mine out. Silly words like 'and' I spell adn. Stupid typo because I'm not paying attention.
Marnie
You? Past your prime? Nahhh!! Not with that quick wit of yours! You are right though, spellcheck is not all that it's cracked up to be. Your kids sound like mine...I am their source of entertainment!
Rudee,
But I don't have that/those/them/any.
T,
I hardly ever had to use it way back when, but find myself needing it a lot nowadays. I blame it on too many new words:)
Marnie,
Too many typos over here too, but I place all the blame on the keyboard for those. No way those are my fault.
spooky,
Since spell check can't tell the difference when words sound the same but are spelled differently, what good is it. Patience-patients, reed-read, see-sea, and etc.
And nothing makes my kids happier then when they get to laugh at (not with) me.
Hilarious. A notorious bad speller and typo guy I keep my spell check close by.
P.S. thanks for visiting troutbirder. I hope you enjoyed it.
And here I thought this was going to be about that big jar of Miracle Whip in your fridge. I mean, it's not like there's any sandwich fixings in there, and I certainly hope you aren't just eating it straight out of the jar! Hang on to that dictionary - I've hear that old books and documents, like the Dead Sea Scrolls, are actually quite valuable!
Personally, I prefer things that are past their prime. Except milk and chicken. And lettuce.
Between the new keyboard and your wonderful old book..you should be able set to set the blogging world on FIRE! :)
ohhh.. its antique!
a good piece for museum... not on library!!! lol!
in 2011, it will be a 50-year-old dictionary :)
troutbirder,
The older I get, the more I need that little book. What's up with that, anyhow?
I did enjoy my visit to your blog and plan on coming over often.
DG,
Oh oh, is eating it right out of the jar a bad thing??
Do you think if I keep that book another 50 years, I'll be rolling in dough?
pumpkin,
So you like past primers except when they're..chunky, slimy, brown spotted and slippery?
farside,
Ahh if it were only that easy for me!!
KALI,
Hey, you're right. 50 years makes it an antique. Whoo hoo!!
flydragon, eating miracle whip right out of the jar is so bad, I almost couldn't even bring myself to type it!
DG,
LOL, It does kinda kick in the gag reflex doesn't it. Hmmm...you will now think of it when it's time for your lunch... you will now think of it when it's time for your lunch...you will now...
I think I have you beat. My thorndike and barnhart junior dictonary dates before the 60s. I have to use it all the time, and still don't spell the words right. I say as long as it works don't get rid of it. that includes humans also. Middle sis
I'm thrilled that you're hangin on to your old dictionary friend. I have several that I still keep on the shelf (shelf?? Ha! What shelf??). And did you know about this neat dictionary Web site?: http://www.alphadictionary.com/goodword/today.jsp
Betty,
One reason I like this one is because it's so small. Of course the printing is also small and keeps getting smaller and smaller...
TC,
I never get rid of oldies but goodies.
That's a great web site!! Thanks.
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