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The Definitive Reference Shelf for Indexers--Part 3

© Dawney Spencer

TAHCH-KEY. How did your dictionary evaluation work? Were you able to find how to spell this word?

Several readers reported they met with limited electronic dictionary editions. The electronic versions didn’t offer phonetic renderings of words. If you know of an electronic dictionary that DOES, please e-mail me and I will post it here at the web site for other readers.

The only way I was able to find this word is to just sit down with the dictionary in the evenings and start reading the entries in CH, and T. This type of browsing isn’t always easily accomplished with electronic versions.

The correct spelling of tahch-key is TCHOTCHKE. Tchotch-ke is singular.

It’s this kind of situation that makes a hardcopy dictionary invaluable. Now, I realize some readers won’t sit and read the dictionary until they find the spelling of a word they can say, but not spell. They simply will ask someone else, or not use it at all. I’m of a different mindset. That’s why you need to evaluate a dictionary by your method of research.

Another resource that indexers should have is a thesaurus. Many suggest using Roget’s. Some find other brands easier to use. I use my thesaurus in both creating marketing materials, and to help me find the right term I need when creating indexes.

The problem to watch out for, in a thesaurus, is misusing words.

For instance, you might be offered a choice of words in a thesaurus, such as:

mercy
charity
clemency
grace
lenity

According to Merriam-Webster (M-W) dictionary (that’s right, once we found the words, we went to the dictionary to get their exact meaning), they all mean a disposition to show kindness or compassion.

Does this mean you can substitute one for the other? This is where folks using a thesaurus get into trouble. The answer is: No.

A feature of the M-W dictionary (and other dictionaries may also have this feature) is that it tells the split-hair difference between the words:

"MERCY implies compassion that forbears punishing even when justice demands it; CHARITY stresses benevolence and goodwill shown in broad understanding and tolerance of others; CLEMENCY implies a mild or merciful disposition in one having the power or duty of punishing; GRACE implies a benign attitude and a willingness to grant favors or make concessions; LENITY implies lack of severity in punishing."

So, while the meanings are similar, they really shouldn’t be substituted for each other.

A thesaurus will help you find the right word for what you are trying to express. It can also, if misused, make you sound like a fool.

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