The language of covid-19 has people turning to the dictionary

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IN FEARFUL TIMES, people look desperately for trusted sources of information: scientists and public authorities, for example, during the covid-19 pandemic. But they also are relying on a less obvious font of authority. Traditionally a reassuringly solid block of paper, the dictionary was a source of bet-settling gravitas. Today, dictionaries are increasingly online. The best of these are not only better than the best of the old printed ones. They also give lexicographers insight into what is on people’s minds.