Dictionary

[Kyung]

I know. I know. It's the 21st century and I should be looking up everything online. But there are certain words that I just can't remember, like X ray, X-ray, and x-ray so I always go to my trusty dictionary and look it up. Actually, I've marked the spot.

I suppose I could look it up online. And I'm sure the answer would be right. But once in a while, what's on the Internet sometimes isn't right. (I know. Fancy that.)

I also like having a dictionary that I can just go and look things up in. But as I'm going to my dictionary, I realize that it's at least 15 years old. Is my dictionary too old? Language changes and new words are added. Some words that used to be hyphenated are now one word.

If you're wondering, I use Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 10th edition. This is the dictionary that we were told to use by our school. This is the dictionary that helped me pass my qualifier. This is the dictionary that helped me pass my CSR test. But perhaps, like an old horse, I should put it out to pasture and get a new one. Or maybe, it doesn't need to be fixed if it's not broken.

What dictionary are the schools using now?

[Kyung]

I think I would like to be a lexicographer for M-W.

[Brenda Rogers]

"Yes, come the 12th edition of Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary in 2014 . . ." deep in the article. (Sorry. Forgot I couldn't just edit.)

[Brenda Rogers]

Kyung, I'd recommend investing in 11th edition. It came out in mid-2003. If it's on the ten-year cycle, that's a long time to wait to update. Here's an article I found about the 11th.

[Jeannie Wright]

Kyung - I am using the 11th Edition also. And yes, language does change -- it's surprising, in a way; sometimes I feel old! Ha!

[Jena Macato]

Yeah. Merriam Webster 11th Edition is what the schools are using now. And the CD you load on your computer is cool!

[Brenda Rogers]

Oh, and looking up online, I use Onelook. That has M-W and a bunch of others. You can rely on those. Just googling, no, I don't rely on that at all for what should be in a dictionary.

[Brenda Rogers]

I worked hard to learn those three variations, and to come up with different ways of writing them! I was rather disappointed to see them go. X-ray is noun and adjective now, x-ray still the verb. But most people I talk to just use x-ray.

Not sure when 12 comes out. It's usually once every 10 yrs. Probably getting close! hmmmm

[Kyung]

But if I wait long enough, I can just buy the 12th edition.

[Kyung]

Ah, so I've been doing X-ray wrong. Lovely. Thanks, Brenda. I will now go change my conflict to only two choices, whoo-hoo.

[Brenda Rogers]

11th edition is the most recent. M-W has updated their way of handling X ray, X-ray, x-ray. Its abandoned X ray. Most dictionaries and reporters have gone to using only one form of x-ray for all uses. Language does change, and even M-W changes (I started off using the 9th Edition, when babysitter was still hyphenated). It's best to update your dictionaries as new editions come out.

The 11th Edition comes with a CD to load onto your computer. Very handy!.