It took roughly eight years for Samuel Johnson and his staff of six helpers to complete the Dictionary of the English Language, published on April 15, 1755. In Johnson’s pithier words, however, a “gynecocrasay” was defined as a “petticoat government.”LexicographerA lexicographer at work. | izusek/E+/Getty ImagesJohnson was commissioned to write his dictionary and paid a staggering 1500 guineas (around $430,000 in 2025) for his troubles. | RapidEye/E+/Getty ImagesAs well as “one versed in the arts of government,” Johnson defined a politician as “a man of artifice; one of deep contrivance.”ScelerateA 21-century scelerate. | Jürgen & Christine Sohns/imageBROKER/Getty ImagesPity the poor stoat, which Johnson defined as “a small, stinking animal.”TrolmydamesKind of like lawn bowling, we guess.