National Thesaurus Day (January 18)
National Thesaurus Day, celebrated on January 18, honors the contributions of Peter Roget, the creator of Roget’s Thesaurus.
This holiday is a great opportunity to explore the richness of language, expand vocabulary, and discover new ways to express ideas.
Whether you’re a writer, student, or just love words, celebrating this day can be both educational and fun. Plus, it’s one of the many funny holidays in January!
When is the Holiday?
National Thesaurus Day takes place every year on January 18th, marking the birthday of Peter Roget, the man behind the first modern thesaurus.
Who Invented It?
Peter Roget, an English physician and lexicographer, created Roget’s Thesaurus, which was first published in 1852.
His passion for organizing words led to the development of one of the most widely used reference books today.
The History of the Holiday
Peter Roget was born on January 18, 1779.
His love for words and classification helped him create a comprehensive collection of synonyms.
The first edition of Roget’s Thesaurus contained over 15,000 words. Interestingly, the term “thesaurus” originates from the Greek word “thesauros,” meaning treasure.
Historians believe Roget struggled with depression and found solace in organizing words.
The original title of his thesaurus was “Thesaurus of English Words and Phrases Classified and Arranged to Facilitate the Expression of Ideas and Assist in Literary Composition.”
The concept of a thesaurus predates Roget’s work; the earliest known thesaurus, the ‘Amarakosha,’ was written in Sanskrit in the 4th century.
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Top 5 Facts About National Thesaurus Day
- Roget’s Thesaurus has never been out of print since its first publication in 1852.
- The first edition contained about 15,000 words; today, modern versions include over 300,000.
- The word “thesaurus” comes from Greek and means “storehouse” or “treasure.”
- Writers and public speakers frequently use thesauruses to enhance their vocabulary and avoid repetition.
- The thesaurus doesn’t just help with vocabulary; it allows for clearer communication, better articulation, and even enhances creative thinking by encouraging alternative expressions.
Activities to Celebrate
- Word Challenge: Pick a word and find at least five synonyms to use throughout the day. Try incorporating them into conversations, emails, or social media posts.
- Creative Writing Exercise: Write a short story, poem, or essay using as many synonyms as possible. Challenge yourself to avoid using the same word twice.
- Vocabulary Expansion: Learn five new words from a thesaurus and create flashcards to test yourself or a friend.
- Thesaurus Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of words and challenge kids or students to find the best synonyms using a thesaurus. You can make it a timed competition for extra fun!
- Thesaurus-Themed Games: Play word association games where players must come up with synonyms instead of rhyming words. Try using Scrabble or Boggle with a twist—allowing players to swap a word for a synonym to score extra points.
- Book Discussion: Pick a book and go through a passage, replacing words with synonyms to see how it changes the tone or meaning. Discuss which words make the strongest impact.
Links to Resources
- Free Thesaurus Day unit study. A comprehensive lesson plan incorporating vocabulary exercises, synonym challenges, and fun writing activities to help students engage with words in a creative way.
- Merriam-Webster’s Intermediate Thesaurus. A fantastic thesaurus for students looking to expand their vocabulary with accessible definitions and easy-to-use formatting.
- Oxford American Writer’s Thesaurus. A great resource for writers who want a more nuanced approach to synonyms, including usage examples and writing tips.
- Roget’s International Thesaurus. The classic and comprehensive thesaurus that has stood the test of time, perfect for professionals and students alike.
Related Holidays
National Thesaurus Day is not the only celebration of language and learning.
- Word Nerd Day, observed on January 9, is perfect for those who love expanding their vocabulary and diving into the intricacies of words.
- On April 13, National Scrabble Day celebrates one of the most iconic word games, encouraging players to think strategically while building their vocabulary.
- National Book Lovers Day on August 9 promotes the joy of reading across all ages, inspiring book enthusiasts to pick up their favorite reads and explore new literary adventures.
Whether you’re a fan of words, games, or books, these holidays are wonderful opportunities to appreciate the beauty of language.
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