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Comment by grawprog | Hacker News Reader

This really stopped and made me consider the amount of work that goes into making dictionaries, especially before computers, and the completely mind numbing and awful job it must be to be a dictionary editor. Then again, I'm sure some people out there probably love it but, I just imagined for a moment having to be the person going through those and adding them to the dictionary and honestly, it wasn't a happy thought.

Anyone who did that, or still does, and anyone who enjoys doing that kind of work, I just say props to you guys. People like you work on those little details that makes the world interesting and do the things that get unappreciated but used by everybody. Just wanted to say thanks to all the dictionary editors and people doing work like that. I'm sure you guys don't get appreciated as much as you should.

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https://www.ourcivilisation.com/smartboard/shop/johnsons/pat...

“ Seven years, my lord, have now passed, since I waited in your outward rooms, or was repulsed from your door; during which time I have been pushing on my work through difficulties, of which it is useless to complain, and have brought it, at last, to the verge of publication, without one act of assistance (1), one word of encouragement, or one smile of favour. Such treatment I did not expect, for I never had a patron before.”

My favorite part about The Letter to Chesterfield is that it was such a sick burn that Chesterfield put it on display on a table in his house.

Gee, that version (which wikipedia also links to) is very mangled. "Is not a patrons my lord" ?!

The letter concludes with:

Is not a Patron, my Lord, one who looks with unconcern on a man struggling for life in the water, and when he has reached ground, encumbers him with help? The notice which you have been pleased to take of my labours, had it been early, had been kind; but it has been delayed till I am indifferent, and cannot enjoy it; till I am solitary, and cannot impart it; till I am known, and do not want it. I hope it is no very cynical asperity not to confess obligations where no benefit has been received, or to be unwilling that the public should consider me as owing that to a Patron, which Providence has enabled me to do for myself.

Having carried on my work thus far, with so little obligations to any favourer of learning, I shall not be disappointed though I shall conclude it, if less be possible, with less; for I have been long wakened from that dream of hope, in which I once boasted myself with so much exultation,

My Lord,

Your lordship’s most humble,

Most obedient servant,

SAMUEL JOHNSON.

https://archive.org/details/beautiessamuelj00keargoog/page/n...

> the completely mind numbing and awful job it must be to be a dictionary editor.

How Samuel Johnson defined a word in his (perfectly serious) 18th century dictionary:

> Lexicógrapher. n.s. [...]×A writer of dictionaries; a harmless drudge

It's certainly dramatized, but Fume wo Amu is a wonderful anime about a Japanese dictionary publishing department.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Great_Passage_(TV_series)

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