Happy Thesaurus Day

In a word - Jan. 18 is Thesaurus Day! This annual holiday celebrates the birthday of Peter Mark Roget who was born on this day in 1779. If his name doesn't ring a bell - read on.

Roget was a doctor, mathematician, astronomer, inventor and writer but is best known for a pet project he worked on after his retirement from medicine, the Roget’s Thesaurus, the dictionary of synonyms. Since his original edition of the ultimate in reference books was published in 1852, it has never been out of print. Roget passed away in 1869. He was 90 years old.

Today is also National Gourmet Coffee Day.