The legendary "Oxford English Dictionary" today contains over 600,000 words and a staggering 2,500,000 quotations to illuminate the meaning and history of those words. A glorious, bursting treasure-house, the "OED" serves as a guardian of the literary jewels of the past, a testament to the richness of the English language today, and a guarantor of future understanding of the language. In this book, Charlotte Brewer begins her account of the "OED" at the point where others have stopped, with the publication of the final ...
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The legendary "Oxford English Dictionary" today contains over 600,000 words and a staggering 2,500,000 quotations to illuminate the meaning and history of those words. A glorious, bursting treasure-house, the "OED" serves as a guardian of the literary jewels of the past, a testament to the richness of the English language today, and a guarantor of future understanding of the language. In this book, Charlotte Brewer begins her account of the "OED" at the point where others have stopped, with the publication of the final installment of the first edition in 1928, and carries it through to the metamorphosis of the dictionary into a twenty-first-century electronic medium. Brewer describes the difficulties of keeping the "OED" up-to-date over time and recounts the recurring debates over finances, treatment of contentious words, public vs. scholarly expectations, proper sources of quotations, and changing editorial practices. With humour and empathy, she portrays the predilections and personalities of the editors, publishers, and assistants who undertook the Sisyphean task of keeping apace with the modern explosion of vocabulary. Utilizing rich archives in Oxford as well as new electronic resources, the author uncovers a history no less complex and fascinating than the "Oxford English Dictionary" itself.
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Seller's Description:
This is an ex-library book and may have the usual library/used-book markings inside. This book has hardback covers. In good all round condition. Dust jacket in good condition. Please note the Image in this listing is a stock photo and may not match the covers of the actual item, 850grams, ISBN: 9780300124293.
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Seller's Description:
Fine in Fine jacket. Book. 8vo-over 7¾"-9¾" tall. Hardcover, xiv, 334 pp., unclipped illustrated jacket. Excellent condition. Describes the difficulties of keeping the OED up to date over time and recounts the recurring debates over finances, treatment of contentious words, public vs scholarly expectations, proper sources of quotations and changing editorial practices.
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Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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Seller's Description:
New in New jacket. Book. 8vo. First edition, first printing. 8vo. Cloth binding, 334 pp. The history of the Oxford English Dictionary from the first edition to the present. New in new dust jacket.