Kory Stamper
@korystamper.bsky.social
Writer of dictionaries and books about dictionaries (WORD BY WORD [2017]; TRUE COLOR [2026]; more TK). niila myaamia. Often wrong on the internet. Opinions, baked goods mine. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/authors/2106554/kory-stamper/
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Kory Stamper
@korystamper.bsky.social
· Jul 15
Good morning, kids and people, today in book, we have a cover:
(Preorder this jawn at www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/555914... and use the Bookshop link if you can!)
(Preorder this jawn at www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/555914... and use the Bookshop link if you can!)
Pocket friends, things feel really bleak and hard right now, but we all need some joy to keep us going. Here is some joy: Paper Airplane magazine, aka Highlights for adults, is launching for-reals! paperairplane.pub#subscribe
Paper Airplane magazine
Subscribe now for 2026! Available in digital and print.
paperairplane.pub
January 22, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Pocket friends, things feel really bleak and hard right now, but we all need some joy to keep us going. Here is some joy: Paper Airplane magazine, aka Highlights for adults, is launching for-reals! paperairplane.pub#subscribe
Today's small distraction: reviews of "True Color"! Lookie:
Kirkus Reviews! "a fresh, irreverent [of course] history of words" www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
Publishers Weekly (starred)! "an uproarious journey" www.publishersweekly.com/9781524733032
Kirkus Reviews! "a fresh, irreverent [of course] history of words" www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
Publishers Weekly (starred)! "an uproarious journey" www.publishersweekly.com/9781524733032
January 15, 2026 at 9:04 PM
Today's small distraction: reviews of "True Color"! Lookie:
Kirkus Reviews! "a fresh, irreverent [of course] history of words" www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
Publishers Weekly (starred)! "an uproarious journey" www.publishersweekly.com/9781524733032
Kirkus Reviews! "a fresh, irreverent [of course] history of words" www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews...
Publishers Weekly (starred)! "an uproarious journey" www.publishersweekly.com/9781524733032
A certified mood
CNN graphics put the asterisk in the wrong place, it appears…
January 8, 2026 at 1:42 PM
A certified mood
sorry, y'all, this is probs my fault: I was finishing up an article about the U.S. seizing German patents during WWI and nationalizing them, and I made the mistake of thinking, "This bullshit would never fly today."
January 3, 2026 at 6:38 PM
sorry, y'all, this is probs my fault: I was finishing up an article about the U.S. seizing German patents during WWI and nationalizing them, and I made the mistake of thinking, "This bullshit would never fly today."
Things we should maybe kiss next to: a thread
December 24, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Things we should maybe kiss next to: a thread
What if we kissed next to the Christmas axolotl
December 23, 2025 at 12:56 AM
What if we kissed next to the Christmas axolotl
I guess it's her foot/headrest now.
December 20, 2025 at 4:52 PM
I guess it's her foot/headrest now.
I've now received three of these party invitations from different people, can you please all coordinate so I'm not so busy on December 30???
very excited to attend this special celebration, hosted by a person I have not corresponded with since they died but who will tell me everything I need to know by possessing my computer (but absolutely NOT my phone, fuck your shitty phone)
![The subject line of an email I just received. It reads:
Dear Friends & Family You're invited to a special celebration on December 30th! To get all info Click the invitation on your computer or laptop and make sure you Install the Invitation after Downloading It..Can't wait to celebrate with you! See you There ! From [redacted].](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:newczwhg7q6wkadxdpe4lfit/bafkreicaag326kar5hkmdlcdackdix3ou5jyzlpcu3fsfevfgiju5uduqa@jpeg)
![The footer of the invitation, which reads "Make sure you view on your computer,not on your phone for the full experience. [Event name]Details Inside." FINALLY, someone who understands how hard it is for me to read things on my phone!](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:newczwhg7q6wkadxdpe4lfit/bafkreifh5prrbvjjnzo7njue5z64zjz52bpnt6ksyesymuvpg2ynxjpb4i@jpeg)
December 18, 2025 at 8:45 PM
I've now received three of these party invitations from different people, can you please all coordinate so I'm not so busy on December 30???
very excited to attend this special celebration, hosted by a person I have not corresponded with since they died but who will tell me everything I need to know by possessing my computer (but absolutely NOT my phone, fuck your shitty phone)
December 18, 2025 at 8:31 PM
very excited to attend this special celebration, hosted by a person I have not corresponded with since they died but who will tell me everything I need to know by possessing my computer (but absolutely NOT my phone, fuck your shitty phone)
okay, okay: I'll resurrect my blog and write something about the Pantone Color of the Year, _fine_.
December 7, 2025 at 9:09 PM
okay, okay: I'll resurrect my blog and write something about the Pantone Color of the Year, _fine_.
Reposted by Kory Stamper
Today only, donations to @refugees.org will be matched.
When you donate at PaperAirplane.pub, you get the debut issue of Paper Airplane, putting us one step closer to achieving our dual goal of reaching 250 readers and raising $10,000 for refugees, and putting you in rare quadruple-win territory.
When you donate at PaperAirplane.pub, you get the debut issue of Paper Airplane, putting us one step closer to achieving our dual goal of reaching 250 readers and raising $10,000 for refugees, and putting you in rare quadruple-win territory.
December 2, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Today only, donations to @refugees.org will be matched.
When you donate at PaperAirplane.pub, you get the debut issue of Paper Airplane, putting us one step closer to achieving our dual goal of reaching 250 readers and raising $10,000 for refugees, and putting you in rare quadruple-win territory.
When you donate at PaperAirplane.pub, you get the debut issue of Paper Airplane, putting us one step closer to achieving our dual goal of reaching 250 readers and raising $10,000 for refugees, and putting you in rare quadruple-win territory.
Kory Stamper: Whole-assing dictionary books since 2017.
This book about defining color in dictionaries has a whole-ass twist in it, you all are in for a treat!
December 1, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Kory Stamper: Whole-assing dictionary books since 2017.
And for the record, since this is a thing you have to say now: no AI was used for this book--not for the art, not for the research, not for the words. All the art was hand-drawn by artists or subjects of the book; all the thoughts came from my li'l brain; all the typos are 100% handcrafted by moi.
I commissioned an artist to draw a raccoon for my latest book, and finally got to show them the composed page with their illustration on it. 🤩 (It was great, their reaction was perfect, 10/10, can recommend.)
November 19, 2025 at 11:15 PM
And for the record, since this is a thing you have to say now: no AI was used for this book--not for the art, not for the research, not for the words. All the art was hand-drawn by artists or subjects of the book; all the thoughts came from my li'l brain; all the typos are 100% handcrafted by moi.
I commissioned an artist to draw a raccoon for my latest book, and finally got to show them the composed page with their illustration on it. 🤩 (It was great, their reaction was perfect, 10/10, can recommend.)
November 19, 2025 at 4:06 PM
I commissioned an artist to draw a raccoon for my latest book, and finally got to show them the composed page with their illustration on it. 🤩 (It was great, their reaction was perfect, 10/10, can recommend.)
Reposted by Kory Stamper
Now that I've read this book:
You should be preordering the hell out of it.
It's huge fun, and hugely informative. (And huge fun.)
You should be preordering the hell out of it.
It's huge fun, and hugely informative. (And huge fun.)
Good morning, kids and people, today in book, we have a cover:
(Preorder this jawn at www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/555914... and use the Bookshop link if you can!)
(Preorder this jawn at www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/555914... and use the Bookshop link if you can!)
November 13, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Now that I've read this book:
You should be preordering the hell out of it.
It's huge fun, and hugely informative. (And huge fun.)
You should be preordering the hell out of it.
It's huge fun, and hugely informative. (And huge fun.)
Reposted by Kory Stamper
Life is extremely kiki right now and I would really like it to be just a little more bouba
November 10, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Life is extremely kiki right now and I would really like it to be just a little more bouba
So, nu: Herr Maestro recently broke his neck. (He's home, no surgery, recovery going well, DON'T PANIC.) I made an offhand comment to him that, best guess, the ER visit and two-day hospital stay would cost around $100k. He was flabbergasted. No way.
I just checked the claims online. $93k so far.
I just checked the claims online. $93k so far.
November 8, 2025 at 4:40 PM
So, nu: Herr Maestro recently broke his neck. (He's home, no surgery, recovery going well, DON'T PANIC.) I made an offhand comment to him that, best guess, the ER visit and two-day hospital stay would cost around $100k. He was flabbergasted. No way.
I just checked the claims online. $93k so far.
I just checked the claims online. $93k so far.
Reposted by Kory Stamper
The Collingswood Farmers Market will be giving vouchers to people on SNAP benefits to spend at the market www.instagram.com/p/DQc0WAXkYf...
collsmkt on Instagram: "Neighbors helping neighbors — that’s what community looks like. 💙💛This November, SNAP users can still buy fresh, local food at th…"
Neighbors helping neighbors — that’s what community looks like. 💙💛This November, SNAP users can still buy fresh, local food at the Collingswood Farmers Market, thanks to the generosity of our community.🍅 SNAP shoppers: stop by the SNAP/EBT table at the market and present your EBT card to receive up to $25 in Market Vouchers, plus a dollar-for-dollar match up to $25 in Good Food Bucks vouchers for fresh fruits & veggies — no card transaction required. That’s up to $50 each week to spend at the market on fresh, nutrient-dense food for you and your family. 🍎🥕This community-funded effort is made possible by donations from our generous neighbors, local 501c3 Collingswood Cares, and @goodfoodbucksnj.Looking for a way to help?
💵 You can make a tax-deductible donation to Collingswood Cares through the link in our bio or by going directly to http://www.collscares.com/donate 💵 Every dollar helps to keep fresh food on your neighbors’ tables. After all, food is a right, not a privilege. We’ll see you all at the market!📆 Saturday, Nov. 1st🕗 8am-noon⛅ Rain or shine!📍 713 N Atlantic Ave, Collingswood, NJ (find the water towers, find the market!)
www.instagram.com
October 31, 2025 at 1:02 AM
The Collingswood Farmers Market will be giving vouchers to people on SNAP benefits to spend at the market www.instagram.com/p/DQc0WAXkYf...
Thank you, dictionary daht cahm, for reminding me how fortunate I am to not have to try to sell a WOTY anymore. If I had had to come up with a narrative for "67" that seated it within the "global conversation" when words like "tariff" were on the table, I would have laughed myself into a coma.
October 30, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Thank you, dictionary daht cahm, for reminding me how fortunate I am to not have to try to sell a WOTY anymore. If I had had to come up with a narrative for "67" that seated it within the "global conversation" when words like "tariff" were on the table, I would have laughed myself into a coma.
I know the world feels like a tinned, rancid fart right now, but:
If you love a book, take a few seconds to tell that author somehow. An email, a review, a social media post, whatever. I cannot tell you how _your_ excitement about a book gets the _author_ excited about their work in a new way.
If you love a book, take a few seconds to tell that author somehow. An email, a review, a social media post, whatever. I cannot tell you how _your_ excitement about a book gets the _author_ excited about their work in a new way.
October 29, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I know the world feels like a tinned, rancid fart right now, but:
If you love a book, take a few seconds to tell that author somehow. An email, a review, a social media post, whatever. I cannot tell you how _your_ excitement about a book gets the _author_ excited about their work in a new way.
If you love a book, take a few seconds to tell that author somehow. An email, a review, a social media post, whatever. I cannot tell you how _your_ excitement about a book gets the _author_ excited about their work in a new way.
Tell me you're estranged from your family, have no friends, and have never felt one moment of genuine human connection without telling me &c.
October 28, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Tell me you're estranged from your family, have no friends, and have never felt one moment of genuine human connection without telling me &c.
Do not take an etymologist to the ER with you, because they are liable to interrupt the doctor's important discharge instructions with shit like, "Why do they call it a Miami J collar?" and "Ah, NPO! 'Nil per...os?' Is it 'os'?"
October 24, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Do not take an etymologist to the ER with you, because they are liable to interrupt the doctor's important discharge instructions with shit like, "Why do they call it a Miami J collar?" and "Ah, NPO! 'Nil per...os?' Is it 'os'?"
I know this is very "so I tied an onion to my belt, which was the style at the time," but I'm sad that there are no mid-dots in the headwords of the new M-W Collegiate 12th ed. I know only four people in the universe used them, and no one knew what they were really for, but I loved those li'l guys.
October 17, 2025 at 1:20 PM
I know this is very "so I tied an onion to my belt, which was the style at the time," but I'm sad that there are no mid-dots in the headwords of the new M-W Collegiate 12th ed. I know only four people in the universe used them, and no one knew what they were really for, but I loved those li'l guys.
Galleys are in! This spine design is A+.
October 14, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Galleys are in! This spine design is A+.