The Define-a-Thon

[Shawn]

Define-a-Thon
Date: Sunday, November 4, 2007
Time: 12:30 - 1:30
Location: Capitol Auditorium Room E1.004


The American Heritage Dictionary Define-a-Thon ups the ante on word-based competition and separates the vocabulary geniuses from the vocabulary wannabes. It takes language lovers beyond the spelling bee! Why? Because the ability to spell a word doesn't necessarily mean that you know how to use the word.

The Define-a-Thon is a test of vocabulary strength. Contestants will pit their knowledge of English against that of friends and colleagues. The host of the game, American Heritage Dictionary Senior Editor Steve Kleinedler, will give each contestant a definition, followed by several possible answers. The contestant must choose the correct one. As the competition progresses, the degree of difficulty increases until two contestants are left. These two players will enter the final round with new rules and higher stakes.

Steve Kleinedler has been profiled in the New York Times, and he is the only lexicographer we know with the tattoo of a phonetic vowel chart on his shoulder.

Participation in the game is limited, so be sure to arrive early to secure your spot. Contestants can meet the Texas Book Festival volunteer at the entrance to the Capitol Auditorium on level E1 of the Capitol beginning at 11:30am and sign their names to a list of people who would like to compete in Define-a-Thon; the first 10 people in line are assured a spot in the competition and the remaining names on the list will be drawn randomly for a chance to compete. That drawing will happen at 12:15 at the entrance to the Capitol Auditorium.

Word whiz and humorist Roy Blount Jr. will introduce the session.

[Mo Daviau]

My first job out of college was at Merriam-Webster as an apprentice lexicographer. I'm glad they're making dictionary work fun for the whole community!

Also, it appears Steve Kleinedler is a member of the Boston improv community. Sweet!

[Jeff]

Thanks for the heads-up, Shawn. I'm going! So, it's at the Capitol? That's a big place. Will it be obvious where to go from the front? Signs and people and stuff?

[Lindsey]

I'll do my darndest to be there, words are great!

[hujhax]

I made it to round four -- about halfway through -- and got knocked out by a question about terms for surgical instruments. (I didn't know the name of the device commonly used for scraping bone.) It was a lot of fun, though.

More info here.

[Shawn]

sweet!!