If a word is misspelled in the dictionary, how would we ever know?

Question

If a word is misspelled in the dictionary, how would we ever know?

Answer 1

we wouldn't! we're just suppose to accept words like bologna and cologne and lasagna and assume american heritage dictionary and meriam-webster aren't making us fools!

Answer 2

Published books go through a grueling editing process. They are checked multiple times by multiple editors; and each editor has a different focus. All of these editors are usually coordinated by the executive editor or the editor-in-chief.

You also have

Copyeditors-copy editor's job may be summarized in the 5 Cs: to make the copy clear, correct, concise, comprehensible, and consistent. Copy editing typically entails correcting spelling, punctuation, grammatical and semantic errors; ensuring the typescript adheres to the publisher's house style; adding standardized headers, footers, headlines and so on. These elements must be addressed before the typesetter can prepare a final proof copy.

Proofreader-A proofreader checks the typeset copy and marks any errors using standard proof correction marks. The proof is then returned to the typesetter for correction, resulting in another revision or draft.

There may also be a fact checker--an individual who goes thru content and checks factual assertions.

Unique copy is sometimes added as a protection against plagiarism--as the prior answerer said. It isn't necessarily an obvious error.

Answer 3

You'd only know if you compared it to other dictionaries. Which you probably wouldn't, unless of course they had a mass conspiracy of illiteracy going on & purposely misinformed the public as to the correct spelling of words. But then again since a dictionary is a tool for the promotion of literacy it would kind of defeat the point wouldn't it?

Answer 4

It wouldn't surprise me if dictionary makers purposely inserted misspelled common words in the text as a copyright protection device. Mapmakers do that--they'll stick a non-existent street or cul-de-sac on a map, and then if they think someone has copied it without permission, they can point to the known error and win the case.

Answer 5

We wouldn't. Words are just words, those that weren't derived from latin were just made up anyway. But the dictionary is probably the ONE book that has been edited to death. Just because it is, heh, The Dictionary. Plus, there are many dictionaries that probably are checked dozens of times.

Answer 6

That's why there are multiple dictionaries to aid in catching these errors.

Also, if I get what you're saying, then we don't know, and that is how odd words that seem to be misspelled are transferred from one generation to another.

Answer 7

don't know. we go on trust. plus the dictionary wasn't written by one person, it was done by a group of men and majority ruled with the spelling and definition and translation from foreign languages to English

Answer 8

Cross-referenece with a different dictionary, use spell-check,

Answer 9

Virginia C got it right...we would know! There are so many sources to know! And anyway, a dictionary is compiled by many learned people.

Answer 10

i use two dictionary and my instict when trying to spell so i can't go far wrong can i if it looks right then i leave it
thats probably why i get my work back showing loads of spelling mistakes

Answer 11

Type it in your computer & then use the spell checker. Or if it doesn't look right, look it up in another dictionary.