Susie Dent, the renowned lexicographer and one of the most positive personalities on British TV, has spent 31 years as the queen of the dictionary corner on Channel 4’s Countdown. Her energy and passion for words are not only evident on the television show but also in her books. From her first publication, the 2003 Language Report for Oxford University Press, to the 2013 compendium Weird Words, which explores the amusing aspects of bodily functions, Dent’s love for language shines through. She brings joy to current events through her regular “word of the day” posts on Twitter, providing fascinating insights into the meanings and origins of various terms. Examples of her recent posts include “boodlery,” which refers to unprincipled behavior in public office dating back to the 19th century, and “mugshot,” which relates to 18th-century drinking mugs featuring grotesque human faces.
On a rainy July day, we meet Dent in a cafe where she sits, as usual, in a corner, engrossed in a second breakfast. She often observes people quietly in coffee shops, eavesdropping for linguistic purposes rather than gossip. She considers it a way to stumble upon linguistic gems. This autumn, Dent will release two new books filled with linguistic treasures. The first, Interesting Stories About Curious Words: From Stealing Thunder to Red Herrings, is a book for adults that delves into the peculiar tales behind common words and phrases. One intriguing example is the phrase “lick into shape,” which originated from the belief that bear cubs are born shapeless and must be licked by their mothers to acquire form.
The second book, Roots of Happiness: 100 Words for Joy and Hope, is a children’s book featuring exquisite illustrations by Harriet Hobday. Dent refers to it as the “happiest thing” she has ever written. Her goal is to revive the English language’s “lost positives,” words like “feckful,” “couth,” “ruly,” and “full of gorm,” which currently exist only in their negative forms. Dent believes that celebrating the positive aspects of the English language can bring joy to children, especially in challenging times when their sense of normality has been disrupted. Furthermore, research conducted by psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett suggests that possessing a rich vocabulary to express positive emotions aids in emotional management. Dent also recognizes the importance of acknowledging negative emotions, as evidenced by her inclusion of a term like “mubble fubbles” in her book, providing solace to those feeling down.
Dent is an advocate for linguistic change and views children as agents of language evolution. She is excited about the increasing number of non-native English speakers around the world and the emergence of “new Englishes.” Contrary to concerns that artificial intelligence and technology may negatively impact language, Dent remains optimistic and draws parallels with historical anxieties about new communication methods. She criticizes recent grammar teaching methods in schools but highlights the power of gamification and playfulness in language learning. Dent fondly recalls her children’s mistakes while speaking and firmly believes that English has always evolved through unintentional errors, illustrating this point with the example of the misnomer “jerusalem artichoke.”
Dent’s fascination with words began at a young age, where she couldn’t resist reading the labels on ketchup bottles. Her passion for languages grew during her studies of German and French at A-levels, and further flourished during her pursuit of modern languages at Oxford University and German at Princeton. She describes German as a language that feels like coming home, comparing English to a country garden, French to an ornamental park, and German to a deep, dark forest.
After working at Oxford University Press on bilingual dictionaries and eventually English dictionaries, Dent was offered the opportunity to join Channel 4’s Countdown as an expert, a role she initially felt compelled to take on. However, three decades later, Dent considers the show her second home and spends a significant amount of her time immersed in the virtual pages of the OED (Oxford English Dictionary). She finds immense happiness in exploring the extensive vocabulary available to us.
To Dent, words hold significance beyond arbitrary rules and grammar conventions. She believes that words are a source of joy, with an abundance of treasures waiting to be discovered. When asked to describe herself using three joyous words, Dent playfully responds with “elf-locked,” recalling mischievous elves wreaking havoc on one’s hair. The second word is “feckful,” a rediscovered positive term that implies having an impact. Finally, she chooses “respairing,” a word with only one record in the dictionary, which means recovering from despair and looking forward to better days ahead.
As we step outside the cafe, a sudden downpour drenches the street. Dent enthusiastically exclaims, “Oh look, a thunderplump!” and breaks into a radiant smile. Her love for words and the joy they bring is infectious.
Published by John Murray, Interesting Stories About Curious Words is priced at £14.99, while Roots of Happiness is published by Puffin. To support the Guardian and Observer, you can order your copy at guardianbookshop.com (delivery charges may apply).
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