A Dictionary of American Dialect

The Takeaway

If you’ve got a copy of the Dictionary of Regional English, you know that “hotdish” is a casserole-style meal popular throughout Minnesota. A “quahog” is common word for “clam” in New England. And “Euchre” is a card game beloved by Midwesterners of all stripes. Next month the final volume of the Dictionary of American Regional English, or DARE, will be released by the Harvard University Press. It’s a project that started in the 1950s, the singular passion of linguist Frederic Cassidy. Since then, the DARE’s editors have compiled 60-thousand of regionalisms found across the U.S.
We’re joined now by Joan Houston Hall, chief editor of the Dictionary of American Regional English.

Invest in independent global news

The World is an independent newsroom. We’re not funded by billionaires; instead, we rely on readers and listeners like you. As a listener, you’re a crucial part of our team and our global community. Your support is vital to running our nonprofit newsroom, and we can’t do this work without you. Will you support The World with a gift today? Donations made between now and Dec. 31 will be matched 1:1. Thanks for investing in our work!