MDMD(2)-- 54.20 Johnson/Webster `Cheerly. Cheerly, then, lads . . .'

[Eric Alan Weinstein]

Now, I love the OED as much as the next sap-sucking toady,
but John Murray et al of course did not appear until 1900.

You may remember my recommendation of Jon Green's 
Chasing The Sun, a history of lexicography which I am using as 
one of my three main sources (easily the most enjoyable) to prepare 
lectures on the Topick for next fall. Now I imagine that Mr 
Pynchon got himself a copy of (at least) 2 Dictionaries especial 
for M&D---that of Sam Johnson(AM)'s A Dictionary of the English
Language (1755,1771), and Noah Webster's the American Dictionary
of the English Language (1828) (or very possibly his earlier 
Compendious Dictionary of the English Language, of 1806)
Mr Webster takes Dr. Johnson to task in his preface for including
"outdated" Shakespearianisms---examples include "fishify" (to turn
fish) from WS's R&J ---but also I believe "Cheerly," from the Tempest,
though I shall check (cheque) this out again as I haven't seen the 
primary source material for a month. One thing is for sure,
however, Webster hated the use of the extra "K", and he is 
much responsible for its removal from written English, either side
of the pond.  

 Webster dropped the archaic "K" from words such as "musick" and 
"logick", and despite some initial jibes the British followed
suit within a decade. Indeed, Webster's dictionary (ESP that of 
1828), though self-consciously American, sold very well in
GB, and the middle class adopted a fair bit of his spelling
on both sides of the Atlantic.  
 Webster's dropping of the redundant "u" has survived, 
but only in the US, and to this day is one of the great 
differences between US and British (including SA/Zim,
Ire, Can, Austral/NZ, W African, Indian & and West 
Indian) English.
Webster's dropping of the "que" to "k" has survived
in most instances, except in rare cases outside the US
where different forms are used to designate unrelated
forms (i.e. "write Ben a cheque"/"check that for me, Ben."
 
Now I think it is fair to say Pynchon has little sympathy 
for the politics of either Johnson or Webster, but like most
of us, forgives the Dr. his sins more readily than that
tight-arsed (assed) moraliser Webster. (I should add that
I am personally fond of both of the bastards.)

So the inclusion of the word "Cheerly" may suggest
Pynch's favo(u)ring, to some degree, of one source 
over another.

By the way, the first US dictionary was by one
Samuel Johnson Jr, A School Dictionary (1798.)
He was no relation to Dr. Johnson, but rather great nephew
to another famous Dr Sam Johnson, he who founded
King's College in New York (soon to become Columbia U.)

I've gone on too long, so I'm not even going to mention 
Entick here.

Eric

PS Anyone who is able to find the preface's to Johnson's
and Webster's will find them (in different ways) rewarding.

Eric Alan Weinstein
E.A.Weinstein at qmw.ac.uk