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JULY 1, 2005 at 10:35 AM
Posted by GERI
Source: The Guardian via Veritaserum
The new edition of the Oxford Primary Dictionary now includes
some Harry Potter references aimed to help seven-to-11-year-olds understand the meanings of words. The new issue includes the words insolent, lounge and haphazardly.
Insolent, adjective - very rude and insulting, quoted from The Prisoner of Azkaban: "Malfoy gave Professor Lupin an insolent stare, which took in the patches on his robes and the dilapidated suitcase."
Haphazardly is explained by a quote from The Chamber of Secrets: "Mrs Weasley was clattering around, cooking breakfast a little haphazardly, throwing dirty looks at her sons as she threw sausages into the frying pan."
And Professor Snape makes malevolent easy: "'A bad idea, Professor Lockhart,' said Snape, gliding over like a large and malevolent bat."
Andy Simpson, a spokesman for Oxford Children's Books said:
All authors use language creatively. Some enjoy playing with words and pushing children with a more stretching, challenging use of language. But the Oxford Primary Dictionary is the first children's dictionary to use real citations taken from a large range of the best of children’s literature.
And its choice of citations from texts children are intimately familiar with, sets a fantastic example for children and helps improve their reading and writing skills. Far from a traditional boring textbook, the Oxford Primary Dictionary is a fun reference book which can form the basis of interactive sessions in class and at home.
The dictionary features hundreds of citations from children's authors including JK Rowling, Philip Pullman and Roald Dahl.
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Prefect
Points: 316
HP_fan_4ever says:
That's a really great ideas. I wish these words were in the dictionary when i was reading it.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 9:51 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1600
jenn007a says:
That is really cool that they have harry potter words in the dictionary!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 9:54 PM EST
Head Boy
Points: 421
Jared Raschke says:
Thats cool but why not muggle.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 10:02 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1079
GluexXxEater says:
Why aren't these words already in the dictionary. It's not like "muggle" which JKR completly made up.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 10:14 PM EST
Dragon Rider
Points: 4437
~MalfoyPotter~ says:
Good idea for the children to learn new words and vocabularies.... Very clever.
~MP~
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 10:24 PM EST
Witch
Points: 560
Cyril Caerphilly says:
I think that is brilliant! Alot of the references in dictionaries are over children's heads. LIterature has changed alot, and I think its great that the dictionary is evolving with it.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 10:29 PM EST
Hermione's House-Elf
Points: 4189
hermioneisahottie says:
Hahaha...better explain to the kids what dilapidated means...
It seems like they could have come up with some easier quotes for the kids...
But, still...it's a good idea.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 10:29 PM EST
Witch
Points: 935
fizzingwhizbees says:
thats awesome...Go harry potter
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 10:46 PM EST
Hogwarts Psychologist
Points: 4236
Patronus Wiz says:
Wow... It's amazing the influence Harry Potter has had on so many things... even dictionaries. Gosh, if I was a little kid, I probably would have no idea what those words meant.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 10:46 PM EST
Wizard
Points: 593
AlmostThere1117 says:
That is a very good idea. Have more difficult words explained in words you almost know off by heart. I think this will help many younger children understand better thanks to Harry Potter.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 10:52 PM EST
The Faerie Queene
Points: 3277
merri maven says:
This makes me want to check out Oxford's new Children's dictionary. I wonder what other children titles of literary have words as references.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:02 PM EST
Witch
Points: 608
LecHaRry says:
Good thinking... it would really be a greathelp to children at that age.... how creative... i'm going to buy that dictionary, for my self.... hehehe...
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:10 PM EST
Witch
Points: 982
~Kathy~Evans~ says:
I love that idea!!! It's such a great way for kids to understand the meaning of difficult words. Sometimes I actually have to get a dictionary to get the full meaning of a word used in the books...and I love it because it improves my vocabulary(English is not my first language).
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:14 PM EST
Student
Points: 224
-i-luv-ron- says:
Thats so cool. This way kids mite understand the words better!!!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:28 PM EST
Ethereal Fairy
Points: 3077
harrypotterfreak_4life says:
Everybody is catching Harry Potter fever, yay!!! *feels own forehead*.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:51 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 484
Severin says:
This is fantastic!! People in general speak terribly today and it's great to see a way to relate an expanded vocabulary to children. Also making a dictionary a bit more accessible is very good idea.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:53 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1298
Sturgis Podmore says:
That's a cool idea to explain words that was through books that many people have probably read. Cool.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 12:03 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 302
Stacki says:
Intense!!!
I can not believe they put quotes from Harry Potter into a diccionary that is great!!!
Stacki
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 12:12 AM EST
Half-Blooded Fooch
Points: 2447
fooch48 says:
Oh wow! Its amazing how literature has such a great impact on language and word usage!
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 12:38 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 337
sarahpatrick says:
ahh...Thats a brilliant idea..
good for them to do so....
sarahpat
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 12:52 AM EST
Student
Points: 232
ginnygurl says:
Wow that's great!! What a fun way to learn vocabulary too... just by reading and looking up the words you don't know. I remember back in school we had to memorize lists of words for vocabulary tests... it just doesn't get any more boring than that... and what a waste of time that could have been spent reading a good book like Harry Potter instead. ;-)
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 1:25 AM EST
Witch
Points: 933
Draco's # 1 babe says:
Oh that is cool. They need to hae harder words for the younger kids to find out how to say and read them.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 1:37 AM EST
Delusional Army Soldier
Points: 4399
ILoveHP! says:
Wow that's so cute! Too bad it doesn't work for us anymore . . .
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 1:51 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1937
Deepti says:
Well, about time too...what I want to know is when Quidditch will make it into the OED!
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 2:10 AM EST
Squib
Points: 138
ESHA_C says:
This is a good idea.Good for the younger HP fans who are unable to understand some words.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 2:26 AM EST
Witch
Points: 569
HP_Nutter says:
That's new and very great! I love Roald Dahl too.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 3:30 AM EST
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