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Guest Posted 23 years ago
Grammar

How to add a word to the English dictionary!

What is the criteria for adding a word to the English dictionary, such as American Heritage or Webster? Which is the leading Dictionary?
  

Top answer

The Oxford English Dictionary aims to include primarily those words that have genuinely entered the English language. The use of a newly invented word by a single person is not sufficient to merit a dictionary entry (unless the person happens to be, for example, William Shakespeare or Jane Austen). In previous centuries there were dictionaries in which writers listed words which they thought might be useful, even if they did not have any evidence that anyone had ever actually used them.

— Chris

  • The Oxford English Dictionary aims to include primarily those words that have genuinely entered the English language.
  • The use of a newly invented word by a single person is not sufficient to merit a dictionary entry (unless the person happens to be, for example, William Shakespeare or Jane Austen).
  • In previous centuries there were dictionaries in which writers listed words which they thought might be useful, even if they did not have any evidence that anyone had ever actually used them.
  • Often these were derived from Latin or Greek words, like the 'inkhorn' terms which became fashionable in the 16th century.
  • Only a few of the more noteworthy of these words are listed in the OED.
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3 Answers
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The Oxford English Dictionary aims to include primarily those words that have genuinely entered the English language. The use of a newly invented word by a single person is not sufficient to merit a dictionary entry (unless the person happens to be, for example, William Shakespeare or Jane Austen). In previous centuries there were dictionaries in which writers listed words which they thought migh
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Thanks for the info, Chris. I still don't understand exactly how a word "genuinely enters the English language". And thanks for not correcting my grammer - What "ARE" the criteria... or "IS" the criterium...
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I found this web site, because I am searching for the procedure, for submitting a new word to, the powers that be, for the dictionary.
The message and comments are helpful. I do realize that the posted year is 2003, and it is now 2007. Anyone there?
Thank You Kristi
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