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Tamarisk: origin of "salt cedar"
"P van Rijckevorsel" wrote in message . ..
Mike Lyle schreef That isn't the case with English dictionaries, British or American: they generally quote from other dictionaries only when there is no earlier use known in literature. For examples see *Oxford English Dictionary*, the very big one we usually call *OED*; or *New Shorter Oxford English Dictionary*; or Merriam-Webster online. [...] Mike. + + + Nice to see someone with such great faith (in dictionaries). I tend to be wary. Lots of the trouble with language arises of an indiscriminate use of the wrong dictionary. PvR I don't think what I said was matter of faith, surely? The dictionaries have a better chance than I do of identifying the first published use of a word, given that thousands of people like us are constantly sending in verifiable dated references: this isn't guesswork. When they quote examples from other dictionaries, they say so. Or do you mean they're not 100% reliable about the *meanings* of words? Of course you have to use your judgement, as with any reference book. No argument there. Mike. |
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