Johnson's dictionary
Samuel Johnson's comprehensive dictionary (1755) establishing English vocabulary and attempting to standardise and codify the English language.
Real World
Johnson's 1755 dictionary defined over 40,000 words with literary quotations from Shakespeare and Milton, meaning educated writers referenced it as the authority on correct English well into the 19th century.
Exam Focus
Contrast Johnson's prescriptivist intent with the OED's later descriptivist approach to demonstrate understanding of competing attitudes to language.
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