In this collection of articles, the author reflects on the nature of language, the art of lexicography and the developments in communication, the media and information technology in the late 20th century. The three main subjects looked at are: language at large, and particulary English, the most widely used language in the history of the world; the art and study of dictionaries and reference science, embracing all past, present and potential reference materials - from the OED to the Yellow Pages ; and the processes through which communication, information and knowledge has evoloved - from cave art to the personal computer.