Sex appeal in dictionaries

Diese "Perle" aus dem Jahr 1969 habe ich gerade in der Zeitschrift Reference Quarterly (RQ) entdeckt. Ich frag mich, wie das heute aufgenommen würde :-D

Objective criticism of a new dictionary is difficult, because a dictionary is secretive, like a woman. At first glance she may look beautiful, smell good, and have tremendous sex appeal. And then her apparent virtues may peel like the skin of a Spanish onion. Only after months or even years of living with her can we discover the intrinsic good points; and bad. And balance them out. What we see at first glance may be the hairdo, the length of the skirt, and the essential dimensions. Whether or not the lexicographic love affair ends happily or in bookswitching depends a great deal on complicated editorial factors.

Quelle: Edward R. Brace: "Sex Appeal in Dictionaries". In: RQ 9 (1969) 2, S. 168-170