The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is a comprehensive dictionary and it requires proper citation. Researchers frequently use dictionaries as source, and they must acknowledge it. The OED citation style is complex, and many researchers often get confused about style guides. Properly citing the Oxford English Dictionary is vital for maintaining academic integrity.
Have you ever felt like diving into the vast ocean of the English language? Well, consider the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) your trusty submarine! It’s not just a dictionary; it’s the definitive record of our ever-evolving lingo. We’re talking about centuries of words, their origins, their quirky evolutions, and their current swagger.
But here’s the deal: just like you wouldn’t take credit for inventing the submarine if someone else did, you can’t just waltz off with the OED’s hard-earned lexicographical insights without giving credit where it’s due. That’s where citation comes into play.
Think of this blog post as your personal citation sensei. We’re here to guide you through the ins and outs of properly citing the OED. Why, you ask? Because giving credit isn’t just polite; it’s essential for a few rock-solid reasons:
- Academic Integrity: First and foremost, citing the OED helps you dodge the dreaded plagiarism bullet. No one wants to accidentally pass off someone else’s linguistic spadework as their own, right?
- Giving Credit: The OED represents decades of research by countless lexicographers. Citing it is a simple thank you for their Herculean effort.
- Enhancing Credibility: When you cite your sources, you’re showing that you’ve done your homework. Proper citation adds a layer of authority to your work, signaling to readers that you’re serious about accuracy.
Why Citing the OED is Kind of a Big Deal
Okay, so you’re probably thinking, “Do I really need to cite a dictionary?” Well, let’s put it this way: imagine you’re baking a cake. You follow a recipe, right? And if that recipe came from, say, your grandma’s secret cookbook, you’d give her credit, wouldn’t you? The OED is like that secret cookbook, but for the English language. It’s packed with linguistic goodness, and citing it is about more than just following the rules: it’s about being a responsible scholar, researcher, or writer. So, let’s break down why hitting that citation button for the OED is actually pretty important.
Academic Integrity: Don’t Be a Copycat!
First and foremost, let’s talk about academic integrity. *Plagiarism* is a big no-no, and while it might seem silly to think of “stealing” a definition, the OED is still someone’s intellectual property. Years of research, analysis, and lexicographical wizardry have gone into crafting those entries. By citing the OED, you’re basically saying, “Hey, I didn’t just pull this out of thin air; I consulted a reputable source,” which is always a good look. So, prevent Academic Integrity by citing the OED.
Giving Credit Where Credit is Due
Think of the OED as a giant team effort, a monumental labor of linguistic love. Countless editors, researchers, and contributors have poured their hearts and souls into documenting the ever-evolving English language. When you cite the OED, you’re giving credit to this vast lexicographical effort. It’s a nod of respect to the people who’ve dedicated their lives to understanding and cataloging our crazy, beautiful language. *In a nutshell, it’s just the right thing to do.*
Boosting Your Credibility: Look Smart, Be Smart
Let’s be honest, citing the OED isn’t just about being ethical; it also makes you look good. It enhances the authority and reliability of your research. It shows you’ve done your homework, consulted a definitive source, and aren’t just making stuff up as you go along. Think of it as adding a sprinkle of intellectual glitter to your work. Show respect for scholarly work and established resources like OED.
Showing Some Respect: Because Words Matter
Ultimately, citing the OED is about showing respect: respect for the English language, respect for the scholars who study it, and respect for your audience. It demonstrates that you take your work seriously and that you value accuracy and thoroughness. Plus, you’re contributing to the academic conversation by acknowledging the foundations upon which your own work is built.
Essential Elements of an OED Citation
Okay, so you’re ready to give the OED the credit it deserves! Fantastic! Now, let’s talk about exactly what you need to include when you’re citing this linguistic behemoth. Think of it like giving proper instructions to find a specific treasure – you want to make it easy for your readers (and your professors!) to locate the exact piece of information you used.
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Entry Title/Headword:
This one’s pretty straightforward, but super important! You need to cite the exact word or phrase you consulted. Don’t just say, “I looked it up in the OED.” Be specific!
Why? Because the OED is HUGE. Saying you looked up something isn’t helpful. Imagine telling someone you saw a movie starring Tom Hanks – was it Forrest Gump, Cast Away, or The Terminal? Each offers very different connotations. The same goes for the OED.
Formatting: Cite ‘serendipity‘ rather than just generally mentioning the OED. Get it? It’s about precision.
Pro-Tip: Double-check the spelling, especially if you’re dealing with older words or historical texts. Spelling conventions change over time, and the OED meticulously records those changes. You wouldn’t want to cite ‘ye olde shoppe’ as “the old shop,” would you?
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Date of Publication/Revision:
Now, this is where things get interesting. The OED is a living document. It’s constantly being updated with new words, revised definitions, and updated etymologies. That means the date matters a lot.
Why? If you’re citing a definition from 1989, it might be drastically different from the definition available today. The publication or revision date tells your reader which version you consulted. Think of it like software updates – version 1.0 is often very different from version 5.0!
Finding the Date:
- Print Versions: Look for the publication date on the copyright page. Easy peasy.
- Online Versions: Scroll to the bottom of the entry, or check the “About this Entry” section. The revision date is usually clearly displayed.
Key Point: The online OED is updated constantly, so that revision date is particularly vital. It’s the difference between citing the latest information and citing something that’s hopelessly outdated.
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URL/DOI (for online entries):
In the digital age, giving directions means providing a link. For online OED entries, you need to include either the URL or, even better, the DOI (Digital Object Identifier).
Why?
- Accessibility: It allows your readers to go directly to the entry you used.
- Avoiding Link Rot: Regular URLs can change or disappear (a phenomenon called “link rot”). A DOI is a permanent, stable identifier that ensures long-term accessibility.
Finding the URL/DOI: The URL is, of course, in your browser’s address bar. The DOI is usually located at the top or bottom of the entry, often labeled as “DOI” or “Permanent Link.”
Important Advice: Always use the stable URL or DOI if one is provided. And just to be safe, double-check that the link still works right before you publish! Trust me, future readers (and your future self) will thank you.
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Publisher:
This is the simplest one! The publisher of the Oxford English Dictionary is always, without exception, Oxford University Press (OUP). This is consistent across both print and online versions. So, no matter which edition you’re using, you know who to credit.
Navigating the Citation Jungle: A Style-by-Style Guide to Taming the OED
So, you’ve ventured into the magnificent world of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) and emerged with linguistic treasures! High five! But now comes the tricky part: giving credit where credit is due without your bibliography looking like it was written in hieroglyphics. Fear not, intrepid researcher! This section is your friendly map through the citation jungle, where we’ll decode the unique rules of some popular styles.
Each citation style (MLA, APA, Chicago, Turabian, and more) has its own quirky personality, especially when it comes to reference works. They’re like picky eaters, each with a specific way they want their bibliographic meal prepared. What might be perfectly acceptable in MLA could be a citation faux pas in Chicago. It is important to highlight, each guide has special rules and guidelines.
Let’s dive into some concrete examples to illustrate how to cite the OED according to the style gods:
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MLA (Modern Language Association): MLA likes things neat and orderly, so your OED citation should look something like this:
Author, “Entry Title.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford University Press, Date, URL.
Example: “Serendipity.” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford University Press, 2023, https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/176300.
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APA (American Psychological Association): APA is all about clarity and recency, so dates are front and center.
Author, A. (Year). Entry title. Oxford English Dictionary. Retrieved from URL
Example: Oxford University Press. (2023). Serendipity. Oxford English Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/176300
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Chicago (Chicago Manual of Style): Chicago offers a bit more flexibility, but for the OED, this is a common approach:
Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. “Entry Title,” Date, URL.
Example: Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. “Serendipity,” 2023, https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/176300.
Taming the OED Online Beast: Access Dates and Digital Quirks
The OED Online is a living, breathing resource, constantly updated with new words and revisions. This dynamism brings a special consideration to citation: the access date. Because entries can change, noting when you consulted the OED Online is crucial.
Most styles require an “Accessed” date for online sources. This tells your readers exactly which version of the entry you used. Add it to the end of your citation, like so:
Example: Oxford University Press. (2023). Serendipity. Oxford English Dictionary. Retrieved from https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/176300 Accessed October 26, 2023.
Diving Deeper: Citing Usage, Etymology, and Those Alluring Quotations
The Oxford English Dictionary isn’t just a list of words; it’s a treasure trove of linguistic insights! Within each entry, you’ll find fascinating details about a word’s history, how it’s used, and even some killer quotes to illustrate its meaning. But how do you properly give credit when you’re mining this goldmine of information? Let’s break it down, shall we?
Usage Notes: When Words Behave Badly (or Interestingly)
Ever stumbled upon a word that’s used in a way that makes you raise an eyebrow? The OED often includes usage notes that shed light on those tricky situations. These notes can tell you if a word is considered archaic, informal, or even controversial.
So, how do you cite a usage note? Simple! Just make it clear that you’re referencing that specific section of the OED entry. For example, if you’re discussing the OED’s note on how the word “literally” is often used figuratively (yes, the irony!), you’d specify that you’re citing the usage section. You might write something like:
According to the Oxford English Dictionary’s usage note on “literally,” the word is frequently used in a non-literal sense, much to the chagrin of language purists.
Etymology: Tracing a Word’s Ancestry
Ever wonder where words come from? The OED is your go-to source for tracing a word’s etymological roots. Etymology reveals the fascinating journey a word has taken through different languages and historical periods.
When citing a word’s etymology from the OED, be specific. You can say something like:
The Oxford English Dictionary traces the etymology of “algorithm” to the name of the Persian mathematician Al-Khwarizmi.
This shows you’ve consulted the OED’s analysis of the word’s origins. It gives credit where it’s due.
Quotations: A Word in Action
The OED is famous for its extensive collection of quotations. These quotes are used to illustrate a word’s meaning and usage throughout history. However, it’s crucial to remember that the OED is a secondary source for these quotations.
Ideally, you should cite the original source of the quotation whenever possible. The OED lists where it got the quote from, so you will know the place to give respect to. If you can’t track down the original source, you can cite the quotation as it appears in the OED, but make it clear that you’re getting it from the OED, for example by saying:
As quoted in the Oxford English Dictionary, Jane Austen wrote…
Decoding OED Abbreviations
The OED is full of abbreviations! To navigate the OED effectively, you need to understand what these abbreviations mean. Here are a few common ones:
- n.: Noun
- adj.: Adjective
- v.: Verb
- adv.: Adverb
- etym.: Etymology
- pl.: Plural
- sing.: Singular
Knowing these abbreviations will help you interpret the information presented in the OED more accurately and efficiently.
Compiling Your Citations: Bibliographies, Works Cited, and Notes
Bibliographies/Works Cited Lists: The Grand Finale
So, you’ve diligently researched, meticulously quoted, and now it’s time for the pièce de résistance: the bibliography or works cited list. Think of it as the credits rolling after a blockbuster movie—a crucial acknowledgment of everyone who contributed to your scholarly masterpiece! This is where all those individual OED citations come together in harmonious, alphabetized glory. Compiling a bibliography or works cited list might seem daunting, but fear not! It’s really just about following the rules (a bit like learning to dance, but with less chance of stepping on someone’s toes).
Each citation style (MLA, APA, Chicago, and the rest of the gang) has its own particular way of wanting things done, a bit like demanding divas. So, make sure you’re using the right format for your discipline or publisher. The core info remains the same—entry title, publication date, URL—but the order and punctuation will vary. Here’s a sneak peek at how they might look:
- MLA: Author, “Entry Title.” Oxford English Dictionary, OUP, Date, URL.
- APA: Author, A. (Year). Entry title. Oxford English Dictionary. Retrieved from URL
- Chicago: Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. “Entry Title,” Date, URL.
Remember, consistency is key! Once you’ve chosen a style, stick with it throughout your entire list. It shows that you’re paying attention to detail, and it makes your work look super polished.
Footnotes/Endnotes: Little Helpers with Big Impact
Footnotes and endnotes are like the whispering gossips of academic writing. They provide extra tidbits of information, clarify points, or offer additional citations without disrupting the flow of your main text. When citing the OED in a footnote or endnote, you have a couple of options.
The first time you mention the OED, you’ll usually want to provide a full citation, just as you would in your bibliography. This gives your reader all the info they need to find the entry themselves. However, subsequent citations can be shortened to save space and avoid repetition. A shortened citation might include the author (if applicable), the entry title, and a shortened form of the publication information.
For example:
- Full citation: Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. “serendipity,” accessed June 15, 2024, https://www.oed.com/view/Entry/176444.
- Subsequent citation: OED, “serendipity.”
The exact format for shortened citations will vary depending on your chosen style, so be sure to consult your style guide for guidance. Footnotes and endnotes are also a great place to add context or commentary about the OED entry. For example, you might want to mention a particularly interesting usage note or etymological detail. Just remember to keep it concise and relevant!
7. Troubleshooting Common OED Citation Issues
Let’s face it, citing the OED isn’t always a walk in the park. Sometimes, you’re staring at an entry that seems determined to play hide-and-seek with vital information. Don’t panic! We’ve all been there. Here’s your survival guide to tackle those tricky OED citation conundrums.
Missing Information: The Case of the Vanishing Date (or URL!)
Ever find yourself staring blankly at an OED entry, desperately searching for a publication date that’s seemingly disappeared? Or maybe the URL is playing hard to get? Fear not! You have options:
- Undated entries: If the entry is truly undated, delve into the OED‘s revision history. The online version often has a record of updates. If that fails, don’t hesitate to contact Oxford University Press (OUP) directly. They might be able to shed some light on the entry’s history.
- No URL to be found? Not every entry has a stable URL, especially older ones. Do your best to locate something stable but if you cannot you may not be able to cite that one source.
Ambiguous Dates: Decoding the OED’s Temporal Mysteries
The OED‘s timeline can be a bit like a time-travel novel – full of twists and turns! You might see an original publication date alongside several revision dates. So, which one do you cite?
- Generally, cite the most recent date that’s relevant to the information you’re using. If you’re discussing the original meaning of a word, the first publication date might be relevant. But if you’re referencing a more recent usage or definition, go with the latest revision date.
- When in doubt, be as specific as possible in your citation, indicating which date you’re referring to (e.g., “revised 2010”).
Broken or Changing URLs: When Links Go Rogue
Ah, the dreaded “404 Not Found” error! It’s the internet’s way of saying, “Good luck with that citation!” Links change, websites evolve, and sometimes, URLs simply vanish into the digital ether.
- Your best friend here is the DOI (Digital Object Identifier). If the OED entry has one, use it! DOIs are designed to be permanent and stable.
- Always, always, always check your links before submitting your work for publication. A quick click can save you from a potentially embarrassing citation error.
- If a link is broken and you can’t find an alternative, try using the Wayback Machine (archive.org). It might have a snapshot of the page from a previous date.
So, there you have it! Citing the OED doesn’t have to be a headache. Just remember these simple guidelines, and you’ll be giving credit where it’s due in no time. Happy writing!