Oxford English Dictionary

“Did you know you can log into the Oxford English Dictionary with your library card? There is no better reference. It’s really good for classic books, because it doesn’t just give you the modern definition of the word. And if you’re wondering about the first usage of a word (like my dad was with “vamp”), you can just look it up! I literally love to learn.”

“If one lacks the shelf space for the complete OED (20 volumes), the compact edition is a lovely thing. I have this two-volume set, (found at the ACES book sale for $25) which magically shrinks the whole thing via teeny tiny microtext. It comes with a magnifying glass for reading, which adds a pleasing element of spycraft to hunting down word origins.”

“Re-rec from Lida! Apparently you can use your library card to login and not only learn the definition of a word but also when it wa first used etc”