Published on this day in 1884, the first fascicle of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is regarded as the most thorough and precise dictionary of the English language.
Currently, the OED serves as the ultimate reference for the meanings, pronunciations, and historical context of more than half a million words, both from the past and present.
Initiatives for the dictionary began in 1857, led by members of London’s Philological Society, who recognized the absence of contemporary, accurate English dictionaries. They aimed to create a comprehensive dictionary that would encompass vocabulary from the Anglo-Saxon era (1150 A.D.) to modern times. Initially intended to be a four-volume, 6,400-page work, it was estimated that the endeavor would take around 10 years to complete. In reality, it extended beyond 40 years, with the 125th and final fascicle being published in April 1928, culminating in the completion of the extensive dictionary, which included over 400,000 words and phrases across 10 volumes, released under the title A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles.
In contrast to the majority of English dictionaries that list only contemporary definitions, the OED offers a comprehensive chronological account for each word and phrase, including citations from diverse sources, such as classic literature and cookbooks. Renowned for its extensive cross-references and etymologies, the OED is distinctive.
The verb “set” holds the title for the OED’s most extensive entry, comprising around 60,000 words and highlighting over 430 different uses.
Barely was the OED completed when its editors commenced the update process. A supplement featuring new additions and revisions was released in 1933, and the original dictionary was reprinted in 12 volumes, officially adopting the name Oxford English Dictionary.
From 1972 to 1986, a 4-volume updated supplement was issued, incorporating terms reflecting the continuously evolving nature of the English language along with additional words and phrases from regions such as North America, Australia, the Caribbean, New Zealand, South Africa, and South Asia.
In 1984, Oxford University Press initiated a substantial five-year project worth millions to develop an electronic version of the dictionary. This endeavor required a team of 120 individuals solely to key in the pages from the print edition, along with 50 proofreaders to ensure accuracy. The dictionary’s CD-ROM version was subsequently released in 1992, greatly simplifying the process of information retrieval.
Currently, the dictionary’s second edition is accessible online to subscribers and is refreshed quarterly, adding over 1,000 new entries and revisions. Weighing over 137 pounds and spanning an impressive 20 volumes, it would take one person approximately 120 years to type all 59 million words contained in the OED.
