Em: Emma, I need to finish my English homework. Can you help me? I need to borrow your Oxford dictionary.
Emma: Sure I will help you Em, but do remind me to buy the new version of the dictionary tomorrow.
Em: New version? Isn’t a dictionary like, forever?
Emma: No it isn’t. Do you know that a new word is added to the dictionary every two hours? So if that happens every day, imagine how many words will be added to the dictionary in a year!
Em: Wow! Is that so… but where do they get hold of so many new words from?
How are new words born?
Reason: Everywhere. There can be old words or phrases which have been used and the meanings not known or new phrases or words or even slang words used today to communicate.
Emma: Oh right, I came to know that the word ‘Oompa Loompa’ from Charlie and the Chocolate factory has been added to the Oxford dictionary.
Em: ‘Oompa Loompa’? Really? Hahahaha. That’s silly!
Emma: You are silly!
Reason: She is right Em. These are not just any silly words that are added. They are added because they have a meaning or refer to something unique.
Em: That is interesting. I can’t imagine how much people who make dictionaries read!
Reason: They do read a lot! Today Oxford Dictionary is one of the largest and longest running research projects. Changes in language reflect in the day to day world… and so does in the dictionaries.
Em: Well, then let’s go get the new version of the Dictionary and then get on with the homework. Maybe we can fit in some new words too!
Emma: Oh sure! That’s likely, nincompoop.
Em: Huh?
Emma: Go get a dictionary.