Nathaniel Bailey's Universal Etymological English Dictionary
Poet involved
What happened
In 1721, Nathaniel Bailey published An Universal Etymological English Dictionary in London, which became one of the most popular and influential English dictionaries of the eighteenth century. This work focused on common usage and included etymologies, making it a practical resource for a wide range of readers. Bailey's dictionary went through numerous editions and was the most comprehensive English dictionary before Johnson's.
Literary impact
Bailey's dictionary was widely used by English poets and writers, including Samuel Johnson, who drew on it extensively in compiling his own Dictionary. Its focus on common usage reflected a shift towards a more accessible approach to language, which influenced the development of English poetry in the eighteenth century. The dictionary's popularity also helped to standardize English spelling and usage across the British Isles.
Source: Wikipedia
