The First Dictionary Had 2,543 Words. You Wrote the Rest.

A reader asks Teresa Nikas to rule that “impactful” is not a real word, but the history of dictionaries reveals something surprising. Language does not belong to editors or reference books. It is continually shaped by ordinary people every time they speak, write, and give an old idea a new name. Quiet Echo is part of the fictional Cedar Valley News series, where national issues are explored through the lens of a small town grounded in connection, awareness, and everyday responsibility. The front porch is open. Readers of the Cedar Valley News are gathering on Facebook to respond to the editorials, share their own stories, and join a conversation built on respect, honesty, and no party lines. Come sit with us: https://bit.ly/40p8jKy