1. THE MOST AUTHORITATIVE SOURCE OF INFORMATION ON WORD MEANINGS IN ENGLISH Oxford English Dictionary

2. Vocabulary Builder Somnificator (n.) One who induces sleep in others

3. What is the OED? NOT the best source for a quick lookup; instead use a good one volume dictionary or Merriam-Webster Online: www.merriam-webster.comwww.merriam-webster.com Comprehensive historical dictionary Traces the development of English from 1150 AD to the present day Descriptive, not prescriptive Includes British English, American English, Australian English, New Zealand English, English of Indian subcontinent, Southern Africa and Caribbean

4. Vocabulary Builder Happify (v.) To make happy

5. Vocabulary Builder Logophile (n.) A lover of words

6. James A. H. Murray, principal editor

7. OED publishing history Work on the dictionary began in 1857 1 st edition (began 1884, completed 1928, 10 volumes) Supplements (1933, 1 volume; 1972-1986, 4 volumes) 2 nd edition (1989, 20 volumes) Additions (1993, 2 volumes; 1997, 1 volume) Complete revision (began 1990) OED Online (2000; at least 2,500 new and revised words added quarterly)

8. Vocabulary Builder Onomatomania (n.) Vexation at having difficulty in finding the right word

9. Vocabulary Builder Leep (v.) To wash with cow-dung and water

10. Creating the OED The Reading Program – the core of the OED Collect evidence to illustrate how words are used “Readers” submit quotations – originally on slips of paper, now largely computerized Quotations taken from novels, poetry, periodicals, film/tv scripts, pop songs, diaries, letters, manuscripts, wills, etc. “Appeals” – for words and meanings that the editors especially need help with

11. Vocabulary Builder Apricity (n.) the warmth of the sun in winter

12. INTERESTING OED FACTS 2 nd edition: 615,164 words defined, 2.5 million quotations Most quoted author? Most quoted work? Longest entry? J.R.R. Tolkien worked on waggle to warlock 1919- 1920 Shakespeare The Bible the verb ‘set’ with over 430 senses

13. Vocabulary Builder Yepsen (n.) The amount that can be held in two hands cupped together; also, the two cupped hands themselves

14. Further Reading Shea, Ammon. Reading the OED: One Man, One Year, 21,730 Pages. New York: Penguin, 2008. 423.028 SHEA Winchester, Simon. The Professor and the Madman: a Tale of Murder, Insanity and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary. New York: HarperCollins, 1998. 423 WINCHES