ABSTRACT
John Horne Tooke (1736-1812) —‘one of the most systematically frantic etymologists who ever lived’ (Sledd and Kolb, Dr. Johnson’s Dictionary, 183) —had nothing favourable to say about Johnson’s work. His political radicalism, support for Wilkes, and sympathy for the American colonies sharpened his antagonism to Johnson. The following extract (from the chapter on conjunctions) includes a characteristically contemptuous reference, together with a dismissive footnote (later quoted by Webster, No. 22). See Introduction, pp. 4, 24.
