The Oxford English Dictionary has recorded English words for over 1,000 years, while the online Oxford Dictionaries include newer words, such as those created by JK Rowling for Harry Potter. Other fictional franchises, including Roald Dahl’s The Hobbit and Star Wars, have also contributed to the dictionary. Shakespeare has had the greatest influence on the English language.
The Oxford English Dictionary is a historic dictionary that has recorded core English words and meanings for more than 1,000 years, while the online Oxford Dictionaries include newer words and more modern definitions. Among the most recent entries on the website are words created by JK Rowling for her Harry Potter universe, including “muggles” (those unfortunate non-magical people) and “quidditch” (a fictional game played on broomsticks ). More Potter-related words may soon be added to the list, including “Potterhead” and “Wrock.”
Words on the street:
Oxford University Press has a database of around 3 billion words ready for publishers to consider for publication in the OED and on the website.
Harry Potter isn’t the only fictional franchise to generate buzz for Oxford. Even fictional words from Roald Dahl’s The Hobbit, Star Wars, The Simpsons and Matilda have been included.
William Shakespeare had the greatest influence on the English language, providing the genesis of over 1,600 words.
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