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.

words <3

5 months ago

Comments

Michael

@curiousMay 1, 2026

Best historical dictionary out there. <3

Lida Richardson

@lidarichardsonMay 1, 2026

It’s so helpful when reading classics!!!

Michael

@curiousMay 1, 2026

Yes! :) Have you ventured into other historical dictionaries too? Like Greek, Latin, German, French, Anglo-Norman?

Lida Richardson

@lidarichardsonMay 2, 2026

No please tell me everything !!

Michael

@curiousMay 2, 2026

Which one do you want to start with?

Andrei Marinescu

@malaparteMay 2, 2026

A) This is awesome B) I was today years old when I heard about Magda Lupescu (shout out to the 🇷🇴 out there…) C) If you use a Mac, you can access The Oxford Dictionary through the OS Dictionary app, which is very cool (though it lacks the historical usage details)

Michael

@curiousMay 2, 2026

@Andrei: I think the Mac one is the New Oxford American Dictionary (NOAD); different editor than OED. That's helpful if you want to see two different definitions for the same word. :)

Michael

@curiousMay 2, 2026

How does Lupescu relate to OED? 🤓

Andrei Marinescu

@malaparteMay 2, 2026

Ah, yes! Important nuance I had glossed over. Thanks for pointing that out.

Andrei Marinescu

@malaparteMay 2, 2026

@michael she’s referenced in the screenshot featured in Lida’s rec.

Across Rec League

Oxford English Dictionary

even*cleveland

“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.”

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