March 22, 2007
It's Time to Make Your Mark in History
By Stan Dyer
In an on-going effort to maintain its status as the "definitive record of the English Language", the Oxford English Dictionary renewed its appeal to the English-Speaking and English-Reading public throughout the world for words. In 1999, current editor John Simpson renewed the original appeal made in the late 19th century by original editor James Murray, and the appeal continues. The OED wants new words, new definitions, new meanings, and they want them from you. It's your chance to be a part of history.
They aren't necessarily looking for "made-up" words, unless those words eventually found their way into the English language, established a new or modified meaning, and, most importantly, have published proof of their usage. For every word submitted, the person submitting the word must also supply a quotation from a published work. The quotation must list the date, the author, the title of the source, the edition, and the precise location in the text. After that, the field is wide open.
Any book magazine, journal, or historical database is a suitable source for a quotation submitted as proof. Any form of the English language is acceptable including slang, slur, or dialect, as long as the word is not a proper name. Any person of any age, any sex, any religion, any heritage, any race, any creed, and any ability is welcome to offer submissions. Please check your offering against the database in the 20 volume Oxford English Dictionary before submission to avoid duplication. This is the greatest worldwide, cross-cultural endeavor of this magnitude ever attempted.
If you want to give it a shot, but don't know where to start, there is an "appeal" list available at the OED website. The appeal list contains words the OED us specifically asking for help with. There is also a list of unidentified quotations that the editors need help verifying. If you like an even greater challenge, there is the "Balderdash & Piffle" word hunt that seeks to uncover the absolute earliest known usage of words, particularly those on their appeal list.
For more information on the OED, its quest and its requirements, go to:
www.oed.com/reader/. This site also has links to the appeals lists and the quotations list.
If you're ready to submit or contribute, send all the information in the specified form to:
Oxford English Dictionary
Oxford University Press
Great Clarendon Street
Oxford, OX2 6DP
Phone: +44 (0) 1865 353660
Fax: +44 (0) 1865 353811
For Balderdash & Piffle, send submissions to the BBC at:
Balderdash and Piffle
132 Grafton Road
London
NW5 4BA
Email:
balderdash@bbc.co.uk
This is a great opportunity for anyone to latch on to a personal piece of history as well as a great adventure in learning. I personally invite all Elementary, Middle School, High School and College classes to get involved. Anyone with spare time, any senior, any retired person, or any bookworm should need little more in the way of motivation. I look forward to your many successful submissions as well as a few of my own. It's time to make a mark in history.