Susie Dent, the lexicographer best known for her role on Channel 4's Countdown, has championed the idea that linguistic errors are a driving force behind the evolution of English. In a recent interview, she noted that 'English has always evolved by mistake', citing the example of the Jerusalem artichoke, which is neither from Jerusalem nor an artichoke but a mistranslation of the Italian 'girasole'.
Dent is publishing two new books this autumn. The first, Interesting Stories About Curious Words, explores the origins of common phrases, such as 'to lick into shape', which stems from a medieval belief that bear cubs are born shapeless. The second, Roots of Happiness: 100 Words for Joy and Hope, is a children's book aimed at reviving 'lost positives' like 'feckful', 'couth', and 'ruly', which now only survive in negative forms.
She described the children's book as 'the happiest thing I've ever written', inspired by a desire to celebrate beauty after the disruption children have faced recently. Dent also highlighted research by psychologist Lisa Feldman Barrett showing that having vocabulary to articulate happy feelings can improve emotional management, and that words like 'mubble fubbles' (a historical term for gloom) can make people feel less alone.
Dent remains positive about linguistic change, welcoming the rise of 'new Englishes' from non-native speakers who now outnumber native speakers. She is unfazed by fears that technology will ruin language, noting that Victorians feared postcards and that 'text speak' panics are cyclical. However, she criticised modern grammar teaching methods, advocating for intuitive approaches like explaining 'ablaut reduplication' through playful examples such as 'ping pong' rather than technical jargon.
