Erin McKean Quotes

A collection of quotes by Erin McKean.

Erin McKean is a lexicographer, writer, and entrepreneur known for her work in the field of dictionaries. She was born on June 15, 1971, in North Chelmsford, Massachusetts.

McKean's passion for language and words began at a young age, and she later pursued this interest academically. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Linguistics from the University of Chicago and went on to complete a Master of Arts in Linguistics from the University of Illinois.

Her career in lexicography took off when she joined the team at the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) in 1999 as a dictionary editor. During her time at the OED, McKean focused on creating definitions for new and evolving words, especially those related to technology and the internet.

In 2005, McKean left the OED to start her own venture, Wordnik, an online dictionary that aimed to provide definitions, usage examples, and other linguistic resources for every word in the English language. Wordnik became a popular platform for word enthusiasts and language lovers.

Aside from her work in lexicography, McKean is also an accomplished writer and has authored several books, including "The Secret Lives of Dresses" and "That's Amore: A Sonnet for Binky." She has also given numerous talks on language and lexicography.

Erin McKean continues to be recognized for her contributions to the field of lexicography, particularly in embracing the ever-evolving nature of language and making it accessible to a wider audience.