Oxford English Dictionary

History of the Dictionary

"The Oxford English Dictionary has been the last word on words for over a century. But, as with a respected professor or admired parent, we count on its wisdom and authority without thinking much about how it was acquired. What is the history of the Oxford English Dictionary? Exploring its origins and development will give new insight into this extraordinary, living document."

A Short History of the OED

"Following an assessment of the shortfalls of the contemporary dictionaries which included incomplete and inconsistent coverage, a project entitled A New English Dictionary on Historic Principles was developed. Known originally as the New English Dictionary, the OED is a comprehensive lexicon of the English language. It is neither the largest nor the earliest dictionary but it has had a significant cultural impact."

Oxford English Dictionary to go all-digital when it’s completed

"80 lexicographers have been working on the dictionary for 21 years, and they are still only 28% complete. That puts the OED 3rd Edition another 50 years away by my reckoning, although Oxford themselves say it’ll only take another ten years."

Oxford English Dictionary 'will not be printed again'

"The next edition of the Oxford English Dictionary, the world’s most definitive work on the language, will never be printed because of the impact of the internet on book sales."

The Meaning Of Everything - The Story of the Oxford English Dictionary

"Let me get on with the review of this impeccably written book. For Winchester has given us a smasher here. Who would ever, in their right mind, think that the history of the 54 years it took them to create the first Oxford English Dictionary would be such a treat? We're talking of a delightful précis of a project of several lifetimes, where several of the editors up and died before their work was done."