Erin McKean is an American lexicographer, editor, and writer. She is the founder of Wordnik, the online dictionary, and was the editor-in-chief of the second edition of the Oxford American Dictionary. She is also the author of several books about words and language.
What is the most famous quote by Erin McKean ?
You don’t owe prettiness to anyone. Not to your boyfriend/spouse/partner, not to your co-workers, especially not to random men on the street. You don’t owe it to your mother, you don’t owe it to your children, you don’t owe it to civilization in general. Prettiness is not a rent you pay for occupying a space marked ‘female’.
— Erin McKean
What can you learn from Erin McKean (Life Lessons)
- Erin McKean has shown that there is a need for a more expansive and inclusive English language, and that lexicographers should strive to create a language that is more reflective of the diversity of its speakers.
- She has also demonstrated the importance of creativity and innovation in the field of lexicography, and has encouraged the use of new technologies to make the language more accessible.
- Finally, her work has highlighted the need to think critically about language and the power of words to shape our understanding of the world.
The most joyful Erin McKean quotes to get the best of your day
Following is a list of the best Erin McKean quotes, including various Erin McKean inspirational quotes, and other famous sayings by Erin McKean.
By the time the traditionally male lexicographers become interested in looking at fashion words, their origins are lost in the mists of time.
Serendipity is when you find things you weren't looking for because finding what you are looking for is so damned difficult.
All language is a popularity contest.
People say to me, 'How do I know if a word is real?' You know, anybody who's read a children's book knows that love makes things real. If you love a word, use it. That makes it real.
Singing when no one else is around is always good.
I especially like belters. Good, loud singing is probably better medicine than half the stuff they sell in pill bottles, and it's cheaper, too. I also think people should never turn down an opportunity to hold a baby. There's something about the feel of a new baby in your arms that just fixes you.
Language is a nice way to remember things.
And I don't like people who eat powdered doughnuts.
I don't car how careful you are, they're just plain messy. I can't believe they taste good enough to justify getting that sugar all over everything, especially me.
You can weaponize nice... Being nice can make you be a little underestimated.
Compile quotes by Erin McKean
Experiences is just paying attention as time passes.
if you want someone to stop listening to you go ahead and yell.
If you want them to listen to every word, whisper. -Mimi
Aging has been bad ever since we figured out it led to dying.
I also think people should never turn down an opportunity to hold a baby.
There's something about the feeling of a new baby in your arms that just fixes you.
Lexicographers are language reporters.