Question regarding the revision of dictionaries

[crhoades]

Does anyone know of a website or study that shows empirically that dictionaries have been revised over time. Words being removed, definitions changed etc. We all grant that history books have been revised to exclude religion altogether. I've been listening to some lectures that has pointed to the same type of thing happening to dictionaries. I'm sure the original Websters was far different than today's.

Thanks!

 

[VirginiaHuguenot]

This table shows the history of dictionaries. It doesn't give specific examples of revisions, but it may be useful.

 

[Pergamum]

let's not get all conspiratorial now...

Words and meanings change over time. It's a natural process.

 

[VictorBravo]

Chris, just take a trip to a used bookstore and look at old dictionaries. It's cheap fun!

I've got a nice big 1928 Webster's at home. I like to point out to friends that the first definition for the word "nice" is "ignorant, wanton".

It also lists "lewd and laschivious" as a definition.

The dictionary is great for reading the Puritans because it has every old and odd word I've ever come across.

Vic

 

[Pergamum]

Latin, "nescius"....ignorant

 

[SRoper]

My '91 Webster's still lists "nice ... 1 obs a : WANTON, DISSOLUTE." Webster's lists definitions in the order they entered the language, not "most common."

Webster's changed rather recently to be descriptive rather than prescriptive, so maybe that is what you are thinking about. Oxford has always been descriptive.