The Making of the Oxford English Dictionary

— —

Peter Gilliver (Associate Editor, Associate Editor, ^IOxford English Dictionary^R)

The Making of the Oxford English Dictionary

Peter Gilliver (Associate Editor, Associate Editor, ^IOxford English Dictionary^R)

$81.95

Hardback

In stock
Ready to ship

QTY:

English

Oxford University Press
08 September 2016

linguistics; Sociolinguistics; Lexicography; British & Irish history; Social & cultural history

This book tells the history of the Oxford English Dictionary from its beginnings in the middle of the nineteenth century to the present. The author, uniquely among historians of the OED, is also a practising lexicographer with nearly thirty years' experience of working on the Dictionary

He has drawn on a wide range of sources--including previously unexamined archival material and eyewitness testimony--to create a detailed history of the project. The book explores the cultural background from which the idea of a comprehensive historical dictionary of English emerged, the lengthy struggles to bring this concept to fruition, and the development of the book from the appearance of the first printed fascicle in 1884 to the launching of the Dictionary as an online database in 2000 and beyond. It also examines the evolution of the lexicographers' working methods, and provides much information about the people--many of them remarkable individuals--who have contributed to the project over the last century and a half.

By: Peter Gilliver (Associate Editor Associate Editor ^IOxford English Dictionary^R)
Imprint: Oxford University Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 248mm, Width: 182mm, Spine: 40mm
Weight: 1.304kg
ISBN: 9780199283620
ISBN 10: 0199283621
Pages: 656
Publication Date: 08 September 2016
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active

Preface Acknowledgements List of illustrations List of capsules 1: Beginnings 2: Furnivall's Dictionary: 1861-75 Interlude. The work of Furnivall's sub-editors 3: Manoeuvres: 1876-9 4: The road to Ant: 1879-84 5: The Dictionary divides: 1884-7 6: Storm and stress: 1888-97 Interlude. Method: From quotation slip to published entry 7: And then there were four: 1987-1915 8: After twilight: 1915-23 9: Limping over the finishing line: 1923-33 10: Interregnum: 1933-57 11: Learning to swim (again): 1957-72 12: Second Supplement to Second Edition: 1972-89 13: Towards OED3: 1989- Guide to abbreviations Bibliography Index

Peter Gilliver has been an editor of the Oxford English Dictionary since 1987, and is now one of the Dictionary's most experienced lexicographers; he has also contributed to several other dictionaries published by OUP. In addition to his lexicographical work, he has been writing and speaking about the history of the OED for over fifteen years.

Reviews for The Making of the Oxford English Dictionary

Gillivers prose is a pleasure to read and his research indefatigable. Christopher Howse, The Spectator long, careful, authoritatively written, handsomely produced and fascinatingly detailed history Matthew Engel, Financial Times Gilliver's prose is a pleasure to read and his research indefatigable Christopher Howse, Spectator The material is marshalled with erudition and elegance Nicholas Mander, Daily Telegraph it's all here for the fossicking Karen Shook, Times Higher Education