Oxford English Dictionary

Listen to this interview with the editor of the Oxford English Dictionary.
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) contains all the 'recognised' words in English. It includes slang as well as formal vocabulary. Can you guess:
1. How many volumes the first printed edition had? a) 2? b) 10? c) 15? d) 20?
2.When it was first published?
3.When the online version published?
4. How many volumes the current printed edition has? a) 2 b) 10 c) 15 d) 20

Now listen to 'What is the OED?' for the answers? You can check in the answer section on this page.
Listen to this New York Times interview with the editor of the OED.
1. Check your answers from 'Before You Listen'
2.Why is looking up a word now a 'starting point'?
OED editor John Simpson explains how the Thesaurus function on the online OED.
1. What does it tell you about the word 'hippodrome'?
  • How many volumes for first printed edition? b) 10
  • First published? 1928. It was started back in 1857!
  • When was the online version published? 2000
  • Can you guess how many volumes the current printed edition has? d) 20!
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