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Oxford Dictionary Does Science Fiction
Embedded Geek writes: "The News Log for Locus has an item about
the Oxford English Dictionary's attempt to capture unique words and phrases used in various fields. It has begun with a pilot site for science fiction. Specifically, they are looking for published uses of specific words in Science Fiction, SF Criticism, and SF Fandom.
The goal is not to create a glossary of terms but rather find the earliest (antedating), latest (postdating), and intermediate (interdating) uses of these words already in the dictionary in books, magazines, etc. They are soliciting help from the public in this effort. Presumably, if this effort is a success, they will begin working on other fields: other literature, programming, open source... who knows?"
No "grok"?
From the OED page:
This list is not meant to be a glossary of SF terminology: it is only a list of those terms that the OED has a particular need to have researched. Certain terms have been excluded from this list because we know beyond doubt that we have the earliest possible example, the circumstances of the coinage being known. These include dalek, robot, and grok. There is no need to point out the absence of these words.
Promote proofreading. Don't mod up sloppy posts.
Read the professor and the madman, it's a great read and will explain to you that this is the same process they used to collect all of the original words...
It was a joint collaboration very much like open-source software!
It only costs us $550/year per person to use the Oxford English Dictionary online...
Copy of a message I sent the editor :) I can't believe they couldn't predate 1971 for AI (see Sci Fi Word List)
:) Next time I see him [JM], I'll mention it :)
Hi Mike,
Science predates Science Fiction
Winton
AI or Artificial Intelligence
Coined by John McCarthy [in a SCIENCE setting, not SCI-FI!], 1956. Seems to be fairly unanimous.... concept goes way back.
" He [JM] invited them to Vermont for "The Dartmouth summer research project on artificial intelligence." (reference)
1956 John McCarthy coined the term "artificial intelligence" as the topic of the Dartmouth Conference, the first conference devoted to the subject. (reference)
Assuming(as was stated) that these boys are planning to eventually get into the tech field. I wonder if anyone has pointed them in the direction of the yet.
I mean besides being a good read, there is some pretty useful information in there from a linguistic point of view.
lysergically yours
Keep in mind, there are a number of ways to access the full on-line OED for free. If you really want access, you can find a way. For example:
- Most colleges and universities have access, and if you're an alumnus -- and join the alumni association -- you'll probably retain your access.
- Ditto for community colleges. Most community collges usually offer library cards for the public-at-large. These days, once you get a library card at a comm coll, you usually have access to their on-line catalog -- which probably includes on-line access to the OED.
- Also -- perhaps oddest of all -- if you join the 'History Book Club' (and perhaps others -- the Reader's Subscription, Quality Paperback Book Club, etc.) you are granted access to the on-line OED through their websites. I just discovered this the other day. I signed up for the History Book Club (in order to get the 4 free books) and then received an email explaining that I now had access to the full on-line OED.
- And finally, don't forget there's a compact OED -- two big volumes with a magnifying glass -- that contains the *complete* OED. (Doesn't include any recent updates, but it's fantastic for what it does contain -- and it's the most recent edition.) I received the Compact OED several years ago for free for joining the Book-of-the-Month club. The compact OED is also available for around $299 (I think) at Borders and Barnes and Noble. (If you know an employee of either of those stores, you can get a nice discount.)
So, yeah, there are *many* ways of getting the OED -- hard copy and on-line. And most likely you already have access for free but don't know it -- local library, college, community college, book club!
Kelso
He discussed his research, which involved review countless junk mail, spam, advertisements, corporate memos, etc. The book is broken down into type of language like Distraction Modifiers, Self-Help Jargon, Second Hand English, and Invisible Diminishers. For the latter, he cited an example being "only $99.95!" as if this is a low amount.
He also has some excerpts listed on the site above that are very intersting.
The thesis of his book seems to be that we are slowly degrading the English language, especially with our culture of hype. But I look at it from the Open Source perspective! If it doesn't work for you, add something to it or change some meaning... if others accept the change, then you've made a valuable contribution. If not, then you still have your own little version, only not every one will understand what you're saying. Now that's crunk!
I look forward to seeing the "end result" of new Oxford Dictionary! I really want a definitive definition for hydrospanner (isn't it a bridge?).
Cheers!
Carl
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