Introduction to the Oxford English Dictionary Spartanburg Community College Library Introduction to the Oxford English Dictionary Spartanburg Community College Library

The OED what it looks like:

The OED - what it is: Authoritative 20 volume work on the evolution of the English language- from 1150 a.d. to modern times Authoritative 20 volume work on the evolution of the English language- from 1150 a.d. to modern times Gives history, meaning and pronunciation of words Gives history, meaning and pronunciation of words Gives examples of words used in context, from the first known recorded occurrence to the present day Gives examples of words used in context, from the first known recorded occurrence to the present day Gives definitions of over half a million words Gives definitions of over half a million words Available in your library’s reference section STC Library call number: PE1625.O Available in your library’s reference section STC Library call number: PE1625.O

The OED- why it is important: Words become outdated or obsolete- “fireplug,” “icebox” Words become outdated or obsolete- “fireplug,” “icebox” Words end up with multiple meanings over time– “mouse” Words end up with multiple meanings over time– “mouse” Meaning of words change- “gay” Meaning of words change- “gay” Words mean different things in different areas of the world. For example…… Words mean different things in different areas of the world. For example……

Waltzing Matilda The “unofficial” national anthem of Australia Once a jolly swagman sat beside the billabong, Under the shade of a coolibah tree, And he sang as he sat and waited by the billabong You'll come a waltzing matilda with me Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda You'll come a waltzing matilda with me And he sang as he sat and waited by the billabong You'll come a waltzing matilda with me. Down came a jumbuck to drink beside the billabong Up jumped the swagman and seized him with glee And he sang as he tucked jumbuck in his tuckerbag You'll come a waltzing matilda with me Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda You'll come a waltzing matilda with me And he sang as he sat and waited by the billabong You'll come a waltzing matilda with me. Down came the stockman, riding on his thoroughbred, Down came the troopers, one, two, three. "Where's the jolly jumbuck you've got in your tuckerbag? You'll come a waltzing matilda with me Waltzing matilda, waltzing matilda You'll come a waltzing matilda with me And he sang as he sat and waited by the billabong You'll come a waltzing matilda with me. Up jumped the swagman and plunged into the billabong, "You'll never catch me alive," cried he And his ghost may be heard as you ride beside the billabong, You'll come a waltzing matilda with me.

In Australia, “waltzing Matilda” means to go “walkabout” looking for a job with your bedroll So, if someone in Australia asks you to go waltzing with them, bring hiking boots instead of dancing shoes!

Tip to help you with the OED: Use the “List of Abbreviations” The OED uses a lot of abbreviations At the front of each volume, there is a “List of Abbreviations, Signs, Etc.” Use it to help you interpret entries in the OED You might want to make a copy of it so you can have the list nearby as you use the dictionary Now let’s look at the two main types of entries in the OED…

Two Types of Entries #1 Cross-reference entries refer you to another definition AND…

#2 Main Entries (the most common) Note: There may be more than one entry for a word, and each entry may have more than one definition. For example: This page has 5 “hulks.” “Hulk” #1 has three definitions attached to it. The older the word, the more definitions.

Why more than one entry? Because different forms of the word may develop separately from each other:

The 4 Main Parts of an Entry #1. Identification: includes the word itself, the part of speech, status label(s) and variant spellings #1. Identification: includes the word itself, the part of speech, status label(s) and variant spellings #2 Etymology and form history of the word: usually in brackets #2 Etymology and form history of the word: usually in brackets #3- Signification: the definition(s) of the word #3- Signification: the definition(s) of the word #4. Illustrative Quotations: examples of how the word was used from first known recorded occurrence onward. Includes date of publication, author, and text of quotations #4. Illustrative Quotations: examples of how the word was used from first known recorded occurrence onward. Includes date of publication, author, and text of quotations

#1 The Identification Dagger means this form of the word is obsolete and no longer in use in the English language Dagger means this form of the word is obsolete and no longer in use in the English language Main form of word: “hulk” Main form of word: “hulk” Pronunciation: “hAlk” Pronunciation: “hAlk” Part of speech:“sb.” which is short for “substantive,” another word for “noun”. Part of speech:“sb.” which is short for “substantive,” another word for “noun”. Labels: “Obs.”obsolete and “dial.” dialect. Labels: “Obs.”obsolete and “dial.” dialect. Forms: “1 hulc, 4-hulk,” etc. are alternate spellings of the word and when they were used. 1 means “before 1100,” 4 stands for the “14 th century,” etc. Forms: “1 hulc, 4-hulk,” etc. are alternate spellings of the word and when they were used. 1 means “before 1100,” 4 stands for the “14 th century,” etc. Use the “List of Abbreviations” to help you interpret labels and parts of speech. Use the “List of Abbreviations” to help you interpret labels and parts of speech.

#2 The Etymology and Form History Usually in brackets. It tells where the word came from, how its form (spelling) evolved over history, and information such as the language(s) the word evolved from. Usually in brackets. It tells where the word came from, how its form (spelling) evolved over history, and information such as the language(s) the word evolved from. For example,, this entry of “hulk” came from the Old English (OE.) word “hulc,” but before that, it came from such languages such as Old French (OF.) and various strains of German (MLG, OHG, and MHG). But the word originally came from a Greek word meaning “a ship that is towed.” For example,, this entry of “hulk” came from the Old English (OE.) word “hulc,” but before that, it came from such languages such as Old French (OF.) and various strains of German (MLG, OHG, and MHG). But the word originally came from a Greek word meaning “a ship that is towed.” You will definitely need the “List of Abbreviations” for this section! You will definitely need the “List of Abbreviations” for this section!

#3 Signification: the definitions, notice this entry for “hulk” has 4 main definitions, and definition 4 subdivides into “a” and “b.”

#4 –Illustrative quotations: these are listed after each definition in a smaller font. They may look funny because they keep the original spelling. At least one quotation is given for each century, and they are arranged chronologically. Note: under definition #4, Shakespeare is first know author to use hulk meaning “a big unwieldy person.” Incredible, no?

Now use the OED to help you analyze Margaret Atwood’s Poem “You Fit into Me”

You Fit into Me by Margaret Atwood You fit into me Like a hook into an eye Let’s pick a word that affects the over-all meaning of the poem…

You Fit into Me by Margaret Atwood You fit into me Like a hook into an eye Now let’s look it up in the OED…

The first entry for the word is a general definition for the word “hook.” Let’s see if we can find something more specific that will fit with the reference to “eye.”

Def. 5 seems to fit the best—but note the “See also” reference.

“hook and eye” presents the idea of two things that connect and fit together. So…

You Fit into Me by Margaret Atwood You fit into me Like a hook into an eye A “hook and eye” creates an image of two things that are made to fit together. Therefore, this is a very romantic image. But let’s look at the rest of the poem…

You Fit into Me by Margaret Atwood You fit into me Like a hook into an eye A fish hook an open eye

You Fit into Me by Margaret Atwood You fit into me Like a hook into an eye A fish hook an open eye Not the hook and eye we thought! In the poem, Atwood plays on the general definition of “hook.” The reader assumes lines 1 and 2 refer to a “hook and eye”— a romantic image. However, in the last 2 lines, the poet clarifies exactly the type of hook she was referring to. Fishhooks and eyeballs were never meant to go together! Therefore, these 2 lines undercut what we thought was going on in the first two lines! The image changes from romantic to painful.

For Further Reading Berg, Donna Lee. A Guide to the Oxford English Dictionary: The Essential Companion’s User Guide. Oxford: Oxford University Press: Print. Ref PE1617.O94 B Berg, Donna Lee. A Guide to the Oxford English Dictionary: The Essential Companion’s User Guide. Oxford: Oxford University Press: Print. Ref PE1617.O94 B Gives in-depth breakdown of the different types of information available in the dictionary. Gives in-depth breakdown of the different types of information available in the dictionary. Winchester, Simon. The Meaning of Everything: The Story of the Oxford English Dictionary. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, Print. Ref PE1617.O94 W Winchester, Simon. The Meaning of Everything: The Story of the Oxford English Dictionary. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, Print. Ref PE1617.O94 W Tells the eventful, personality-filled story of the making of the OED. Winchester, Simon. The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, Print. PE1617.O94 W Winchester, Simon. The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity, and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary. New York: HarperCollins Publishers, Print. PE1617.O94 W Tells about the making of the OED. Also gives fascinating story of a Dr. Minor, one of the volunteer contributors to the dictionary who also happened to be criminally insane. Tells about the making of the OED. Also gives fascinating story of a Dr. Minor, one of the volunteer contributors to the dictionary who also happened to be criminally insane. Any Questions? Contact Ask-A-Librarian (864)

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