The American Spelling Book - The Original 1824 Edition Cover
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The American Spelling Book - The Original 1824 Edition

Noah Webster

bolded Noah Webster's 1824 "American Spelling Book" has sold over 100 million copies since its publication, making it one of the best selling books of all time in the United States. According to the National Museum of American History, "Webster’s goal was to divorce the American educational system...

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It was a highly successful book, also known as the blue-backed speller, that contributed to standardizing American English for educators and sold millions of copies by 1883.

"

And pre-dictionary, which we'll get to after the break, he wrote something called The American Spelling Book, which was also referred to as the blue-backed speller.

— Episode: Short Stuff: Is It Theater or Theatre?

Episode: Short Stuff: Is It Theater or Theatre?

It was a highly successful book, also known as the blue-backed speller, that contributed to standardizing American English for educators and sold millions of copies by 1883.

"

And pre-dictionary, which we'll get to after the break, he wrote something called The American Spelling Book, which was also referred to as the blue-backed speller.

I guess it had a blue cover on the back is the only thing I can think of. Or it was referring to a character who had a blue back in the book.

But it helped standardize American English for teachers.

Episode: Short Stuff: Is It Theater or Theatre?

It was a very successful book also known as the 'blue-backed speller', which helped standardize American English for teachers before his dictionary.

"

And pre-dictionary, which we'll get to after the break, he wrote something called The American Spelling Book, which was also referred to as the blue-backed speller.

It sold about 100 million copies by 1883, which is just astounding.

Episode: Short Stuff: Is It Theater or Theatre?

It was a very successful book, selling 100 million copies in 100 years, and was also known as the blue-backed speller.

"

And pre-dictionary, which we'll get to after the break, he wrote something called The American Spelling Book, which was also referred to as the blue-backed speller.

I guess it had a blue cover on the back is the only thing I can think of. Or it was referring to a character who had a blue back in the book.

But it helped standardize American English for teachers.

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