The Concise Oxford Dictionary: The Classic First Edition

by Henry Watson Fowler, F.G. Fowler, David Crystal

The Concise Oxford English Dictionary , today a world-famous bestseller, has always been a ground-breaking dictionary. In its first edition, The Concise Oxford Dictionary was adapted by Henry Watson Fowler and Francis George Fowler from The Oxford Dictionary (now known as the Oxford English
Dictionary ). It was revolutionary at the time for covering current English usage and common words and excluding obsolete words. It was the dictionary for speakers and writers in the early 20th century, rival to none.

From the beautiful art deco detailing to the faithfully reproduced pages, this edition of The Concise Oxford Dictionary authentically replicates the original 1911 publication. Includes an introduction with an essay from today's foremost commentator on language, David Crystal, setting the book in the
political and social context of its time.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Language, Dictionaries

1072 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1911

About the author

Henry Watson Fowler (10 March 1858 – 26 December 1933) was an English schoolmaster, lexicographer and commentator on the usage of the English language. He is notable for both A Dictionary of Modern English Usage and his work on the Concise Oxford Dictionary, and was described by The Times as "a lexicographical genius".

Reviews

[Dora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another dictionary that meets my criteria for actually buying one: recently updated, lots of usage examples. This one also has a nice reference section, with interesting items such as: biological classification, a style guide, proofreading marks, major divisions of geological time (a good mix of sections you would and wouldn't expect from a dictionary).

I'm unlikely to buy another hard-copy dictionary since the information is so easily accessible on the internet, but it's nice to be able to page through a reasonably heavy tome and discover new information.

[Confucius · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Oxford and David Crystal I trust.

[Howierdg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm still using my forty-five year old 6th edition and even though I do sometimes wonder whether I should purchase a newer edition nothing has the same appeal.

[K Stasiak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my go-to version of this dictionary, though I have most of the editions up to the 10th, and also the ODE. I noticed that some words started having changed definitions from the 1990's ('mandate' was the word that set me on this thread of research, though I looked up many different words), which was interesting to observe, especially in the context of the world in which we live now. I find up to the 8th edition (1990) the most reliable, but use the more modern editions for comparison. It's also encouraged me to question whether newest is always best.

[i · Rating 3 out of 5]

Turns out the zebra did it.

[for-much-deliberation ... · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just about the best english dictionary I've ever owned

[Mark Mullee]

While in prison, Malcolm X copied the entire dictionary in longhand. All I have to do is read it.