Paul Dickson

NPC Book Event NPC

Location: Conference Rooms

This is a ticketed event.

Paul Dickson will discuss his new book Words from the White House from 6:30-8:00 p.m. in the Conference Rooms. A book signing will follow the discussion.

Tickets are free for NPC members; $5 for non-members. This event is a fundraiser for the National Press Club Journalism Institute.

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The founding fathers (a term created by Warren G. Harding for his "front porch campaign" of 1920) felt that coining words and creating new uses for old ones was part of their role in creating a new American culture and language, distinct from the proscriptive King's English. Noah Webster called the creation of such Americanisms "acts of defiance," along with such radical ideas as universal literacy and public libraries. Ever since, American presidents have enriched our vocabulary with words, phrases, and concepts that we've put to general use.

Acclaimed lexicographer Paul Dickson has compiled the first collection of new words and lexical curiosities originating on Pennsylvania Avenue. Organized chronologically, each entry contains the definition, etymology, and a brief essay placing the word or phrase in its cultural context. From Washington (tin can) and Jefferson (who alone gets credit for some one hundred coinages, including belittle and the expression holding the bag), to Lincoln (relocate) and Teddy Roosevelt (bully pulpit), to Ike (mulligan) and Obama (Snowmageddon), they collectively provide an illuminating tour of more than two centuries of our history.

For More Information On This Event,
Please Contact:
Nicole Hoffman
nhoffman@press.org (SqueakyChu)… (more)

As The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, The Unwritten Rules of Baseball, The Hidden Language of Baseball, and other authoritative works attest, Dickson is a master of this subject. His new book focuses on Bill Veeck (1914-1986), son of a sportswriter and Chicago Cubs president who bought his first team in 1946, integrated the American League, and advocated innovations such as free agency.

Street: 5015 Connecticut Ave NW City: Washington, Province: District Of Columbia Postal Code: 20008 Country: United States (added from IndieBound)… (more)

Paul Dickson discusses The Dickson Baseball Dictionary.

The language of baseball has been flavored by the musings of the likes of Yogi Berra, Satchel Paige, Casey Stengel, and Red Barber. It's been used by politicians since at least the time of FDR. And it's part of everyday language: Consider that an easy question is a "softball," while a tricky one is a "hardball." Tonight, Paul Dickson, author of The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, and Phil Hochberg, former stadium announcer for the Washington Senators, talk about the origins and development of baseball terminology. Participants may try to stump these two experts with questions on the topic. The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, Third Edition, is available for sale and signing. (karenharris)… (more)