Oxford University Press's
Academic Insights for the Thinking World
Historical lexicographer Elizabeth Knowles introduces her new book, How to Read a Word, which aims to introduce anyone with an interest in language to the pleasures of researching word histories. In this interview filmed by George Miller of Podularity in the library here at Oxford University Press in the UK she suggests some resources and techniques to get you started.
By Elizabeth Knowles
When I began working for Oxford Dictionaries over thirty years ago, it was as a library researcher for the Supplement to OED. Volume 3, O–Scz, was then in preparation, and the key part of my job was to find earlier examples of the words and phrases for which entries were being written. Armed with a degree in English (Old Norse and Old English a speciality) and a diploma in librarianship, I was one of a group of privileged people given access to the closed stacks of the Bodleian Library.
Oxford Dictionary of Quotations editor Elizabeth Knowles reflects on the history of the almost 70-year-old treasury, and how new entries are chosen.
We’re celebrating the publication of the new edition of The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations, and we want to know what the nation’s favourite memorable quotation is.
Anatoly answers questions.
Ammon Shea looks at Merriam’s madman.
Quotations dictionary editor Elizabeth Knowles talks about the new edition of The Oxford Dictionary of Modern Quotations.
We excerpt from What They Didn’t Say: A Book of Misquotations.