What Does It All Mean? Explore the World of Dictionaries at Buffalo’s Rare Book Room.

What Does It All Mean? Explore the World of Dictionaries at Buffalo’s Rare Book Room

On view now through September 30, 2025, What Does It All Mean?: Exploring the Dictionary is a must-see exhibit hosted in the Rare Book Room at Central Library in Downtown Buffalo, located at 1 Lafayette Square.

This unique exhibition showcases how dictionaries have shaped our understanding of language, identity, and society. Far from being just old books on dusty shelves, dictionaries are living documents that evolve with us—bridging generations and cultures through shared meaning.

Curated in collaboration with the Dictionary Society of North America, the exhibit features rare editions and profiles of influential English-language lexicographers. It also explores specialized and thematic dictionaries that span topics from slang to science.

Whether you’re a word lover, language student, or history enthusiast, this exhibit offers a fascinating glimpse into the power of words and the tools we use to define them.