The Meaning of Everything cover art

The Meaning of Everything

 Preview
Try Premium Plus free
1 credit a month to buy any audiobook in our entire collection.
Access to thousands of additional audiobooks and Originals from the Plus Catalogue.
Member-only deals & discounts.
Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

The Meaning of Everything

By: Simon Winchester
Narrated by: Simon Winchester
Try Premium Plus free

Auto-renews at $16.45/mo after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy Now for $21.99

Buy Now for $21.99

About this listen

The creation of the Oxford English Dictionary was a remarkable achievement, and a story of determination, hard work and inspired research. Simon Winchester, with his characteristic gift for bringing history to life, charts the fascinating life of the OED leading up to the appointment of the first editor, James Murray, in 1879, through to the OED's triumphant publication in 1928 and beyond.

The Meaning of Everything is a must for anyone with an interest in language and words.

©2003 Simon Winchester (P)2004 W F Howes Ltd Europe European Great Britain Literary History & Criticism World Literature
All stars
Most relevant
This is yet another engaging, entertaining and educational book by the wonderful Simon Winchester. I have read his books in the past but decided to try this one on Audible and it was great - very digestible and enthralling, the stories of the editors fleshed-out with sympathy and gentle amusement. Loved it.

Essential read for lovers of the English language

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Started with fascinating story telling but started to get repetitive towards end. Ideally could’ve finished 2 hourssooner

Started strong, waned at end

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
An interesting and important story told with heart, respect, humour and intelligence. As always with Simon Winchester…

Loved it

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Anyone with an interest in language and its development will love this book. The story of the making of the Oxford English Dictionary comes alive as the author describes the characters that created the dictionary and the difficulties they faced in its production. The book is a reflection on the nature of language, and the idiosyncrasies of English. Winchester is a masterful narrator.

A wonderous history of our language

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Simon Winchester’s euphonious voice takes you through his thoroughly researched, elegantly written and superbly entertaining narrative. This is the ultimate recounting of the Oxford English Dictionary’s life story. Well worth listening to!

Fascinating and most enjoyable

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.