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The American Language
The American Language

Chapter XII

Chapter 12 of The American Language is here in full — 90 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

By H. L. (Henry Louis) Mencken • Curated US English Learning Edition
Cover illustration for The American Language
Context Illustration Reading 1/18 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
durn, 129. dust-bin, 97, 102. dustman, 102. dutchie, 279. dutiable, 40, 50, 51. duty, 174.
Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.
East end, 139.
East side, 139. easy, /adv./, 227. easy-mark, 311. eat, 194, 211. eat crow, /vp./, 84.
éclat, 264. ecology, 243.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The American Language

Chapter XII

Chapter 12 of The American Language is here in full — 90 sentences across 18 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/18 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
durn, 129. dust-bin, 97, 102. dustman, 102. dutchie, 279. dutiable, 40, 50, 51. duty, 174.
Line 2
Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.
Line 3
East end, 139.
Line 4
East side, 139. easy, /adv./, 227. easy-mark, 311. eat, 194, 211. eat crow, /vp./, 84.
Line 5
éclat, 264. ecology, 243.

Learner Dictionary

These definitions explain words found in the current reading and keep every example grounded in its original sentence.

Oxford-style entry order: headword, part of speech, US IPA, concise definition, contextual example, and audio.

crow verb US /kroʊ/

dwell on with satisfaction

From this reading “East side, 139. easy, /adv./, 227. easy-mark, 311. eat, 194, 211. eat crow, /vp./, 84.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dustman noun US /ˈdʌstmən/

someone employed to collect and dispose of refuse

From this reading “durn, 129. dust-bin, 97, 102. dustman, 102. dutchie, 279. dutiable, 40, 50, 51. duty, 174.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dwindle verb US /ˈdwɪndəl/

become smaller or lose substance

From this reading “Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
eagle noun US /ˈiːɡəl/

any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight

From this reading “Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
east noun US /iːst/

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading “Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
eat verb US /iːt/

take in solid food

From this reading “East side, 139. easy, /adv./, 227. easy-mark, 311. eat, 194, 211. eat crow, /vp./, 84.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ecology noun US /ɪˈkɑːlədʒi/

the environment as it relates to living organisms

From this reading “éclat, 264. ecology, 243.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
pro noun US /proʊ/

an athlete who plays for pay

From this reading “Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.”

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1

Word partnerships in these lines

English keeps certain words together, and knowing the pair is worth more than knowing each word alone. Every partnership below was counted across our whole published library, and earns its place by appearing far more often than two unrelated words of the same frequency would.

Shown as this reading writes them, with the form the library counts, what kind of pairing it is, and how often it occurs.

East side noun + noun

the side that is on the east

In this reading “East side, 139. easy, /adv./, 227. easy-mark, 311. eat, 194, 211. eat crow, /vp./, 84.”

2,289 times in 426,212 chapters
East end noun + noun

In this reading “East end, 139.”

1,282 times in 426,212 chapters

All words in this reading · 54

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

102

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading durn, 129. dust-bin, 97, 102. dustman, 102. dutchie, 279. dutiable, 40, 50, 51. duty, 174.

Pending verification
110

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.

Pending verification
115

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.

Pending verification
129

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading durn, 129. dust-bin, 97, 102. dustman, 102. dutchie, 279. dutiable, 40, 50, 51. duty, 174.

Pending verification
139

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading East end, 139.

Pending verification
174

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading durn, 129. dust-bin, 97, 102. dustman, 102. dutchie, 279. dutiable, 40, 50, 51. duty, 174.

Pending verification
194

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading East side, 139. easy, /adv./, 227. easy-mark, 311. eat, 194, 211. eat crow, /vp./, 84.

Pending verification
211

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading East side, 139. easy, /adv./, 227. easy-mark, 311. eat, 194, 211. eat crow, /vp./, 84.

Pending verification
216

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.

Pending verification
227

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading East side, 139. easy, /adv./, 227. easy-mark, 311. eat, 194, 211. eat crow, /vp./, 84.

Pending verification
231

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.

Pending verification
243

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading éclat, 264. ecology, 243.

Pending verification
264

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading éclat, 264. ecology, 243.

Pending verification
271

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.

Pending verification
279

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading durn, 129. dust-bin, 97, 102. dustman, 102. dutchie, 279. dutiable, 40, 50, 51. duty, 174.

Pending verification
310

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.

Pending verification
311

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading East side, 139. easy, /adv./, 227. easy-mark, 311. eat, 194, 211. eat crow, /vp./, 84.

Pending verification
40

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading durn, 129. dust-bin, 97, 102. dustman, 102. dutchie, 279. dutiable, 40, 50, 51. duty, 174.

Pending verification
47

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.

Pending verification
50

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading durn, 129. dust-bin, 97, 102. dustman, 102. dutchie, 279. dutiable, 40, 50, 51. duty, 174.

Pending verification
51

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading durn, 129. dust-bin, 97, 102. dustman, 102. dutchie, 279. dutiable, 40, 50, 51. duty, 174.

Pending verification
60

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.

Pending verification
84

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading East side, 139. easy, /adv./, 227. easy-mark, 311. eat, 194, 211. eat crow, /vp./, 84.

Pending verification
91

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.

Pending verification
96

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.

Pending verification
97

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading durn, 129. dust-bin, 97, 102. dustman, 102. dutchie, 279. dutiable, 40, 50, 51. duty, 174.

Pending verification
adv

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading East side, 139. easy, /adv./, 227. easy-mark, 311. eat, 194, 211. eat crow, /vp./, 84.

Pending verification
crowverbUS /kroʊ/

dwell on with satisfaction

From this reading East side, 139. easy, /adv./, 227. easy-mark, 311. eat, 194, 211. eat crow, /vp./, 84.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
durn

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading durn, 129. dust-bin, 97, 102. dustman, 102. dutchie, 279. dutiable, 40, 50, 51. duty, 174.

Pending verification
dust-bin

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading durn, 129. dust-bin, 97, 102. dustman, 102. dutchie, 279. dutiable, 40, 50, 51. duty, 174.

Pending verification
dustmannounUS /ˈdʌstmən/

someone employed to collect and dispose of refuse

From this reading durn, 129. dust-bin, 97, 102. dustman, 102. dutchie, 279. dutiable, 40, 50, 51. duty, 174.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dutchie

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading durn, 129. dust-bin, 97, 102. dustman, 102. dutchie, 279. dutiable, 40, 50, 51. duty, 174.

Pending verification
dutiableadjective

subject to import tax

From this reading durn, 129. dust-bin, 97, 102. dustman, 102. dutchie, 279. dutiable, 40, 50, 51. duty, 174.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
dutynounUS /ˈduːti/

the social force that binds you to the courses of action demanded by that force

From this reading durn, 129. dust-bin, 97, 102. dustman, 102. dutchie, 279. dutiable, 40, 50, 51. duty, 174.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
Duval

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.

Pending verification
dwindleverbUS /ˈdwɪndəl/

become smaller or lose substance

From this reading Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
enounUS /iː/

a fat-soluble vitamin that is essential for normal reproduction; an important antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals in the body

From this reading Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
eanoun

the Babylonian god of wisdom; son of Apsu and father of Marduk; counterpart of the Sumerian Enki; as one of the supreme triad including Anu and Bel he was assigned control of the watery element

From this reading Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
eaglenounUS /ˈiːɡəl/

any of various large keen-sighted diurnal birds of prey noted for their broad wings and strong soaring flight

From this reading Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
earlier'n

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.

Pending verification
earthnounUS /ɜːrθ/

the 3rd planet from the sun; the planet we live on

From this reading Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
EastnounUS /iːst/

the cardinal compass point that is at 90 degrees

From this reading East end, 139.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
east-bound

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.

Pending verification
easyadjectiveUS /ˈiːzi/

posing no difficulty; requiring little effort

From this reading East side, 139. easy, /adv./, 227. easy-mark, 311. eat, 194, 211. eat crow, /vp./, 84.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
easy-mark

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading East side, 139. easy, /adv./, 227. easy-mark, 311. eat, 194, 211. eat crow, /vp./, 84.

Pending verification
eatverbUS /iːt/

take in solid food

From this reading East side, 139. easy, /adv./, 227. easy-mark, 311. eat, 194, 211. eat crow, /vp./, 84.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
ecologynounUS /ɪˈkɑːlədʒi/

the environment as it relates to living organisms

From this reading éclat, 264. ecology, 243.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
endnounUS /end/

either extremity of something that has length

From this reading East end, 139.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
nnounUS /en/

a common nonmetallic element that is normally a colorless odorless tasteless inert diatomic gas; constitutes 78 percent of the atmosphere by volume; a constituent of all living tissues

From this reading Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
pronounUS /proʊ/

an athlete who plays for pay

From this reading Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
sidenounUS /saɪd/

a place within a region identified relative to a center or reference location

From this reading East side, 139. easy, /adv./, 227. easy-mark, 311. eat, 194, 211. eat crow, /vp./, 84.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
soundnounUS /saʊnd/

the particular auditory effect produced by a given cause

From this reading Duval, 271. dwindle, 310. e, /pro./, 216n. e-/sound/, 60. ea-/sound/, 91n, 96. eagle, 47. earlier'n, 231. earth, 115. east-bound, 110.

CMU Pronouncing Dictionary · Princeton WordNet 3.1
vp

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading East side, 139. easy, /adv./, 227. easy-mark, 311. eat, 194, 211. eat crow, /vp./, 84.

Pending verification
éclat

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading éclat, 264. ecology, 243.

Pending verification

Chapter 12 of The American Language by H. L. (Henry Louis) Mencken holds 90 sentences, grouped into 18 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the source edition, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 12 of The American Language contain?

Chapter 12 holds 90 sentences of The American Language, unabridged, divided into 18 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 12 of The American Language by H. L. (Henry Louis) Mencken exactly as it stands in the source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 90 sentences, grouped into 18 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 12 of The American Language?

Work through the 18 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 18 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 12 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 12 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The American Language

Common questions about reading The American Language by H. L. (Henry Louis) Mencken on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The American Language?

Yes. All 6951 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #43376 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The American Language is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #43376, unabridged. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The American Language take to read?

About 579 minutes of reading across 1391 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The American Language section by section

How to work through The American Language section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 17 chapters of The American Language to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The American Language

Words and structures a reader meets early in The American Language, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Further
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The American Language; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Details
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Provided
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The American Language; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Transcriber
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The American Language; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.