|
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.
Reader Comments (285)
Your Thoughts
click to write...
Copyright © 2002-2009 HPANA. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License. 
HPANA is an unofficial fan site, in no way affiliated with J.K. Rowling,
Scholastic Books, Bloomsbury Publishing or Warner Bros. Entertainment. All
trademarks and copyrighted material are the property of their respective owners.
About HPANA | Movie 6 | Send a news tip | Contact us | Privacy policy
226-250 251-275 276-285
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
Harry's Mental Advisor
Points: 19432
Smileyradcliffe says:
Definitely cool that they're adding words to help kids read these books. i've noticed some words in the books that i highly doubted younger children would know/understand.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 5:33 AM EST
Wizard
Points: 516
King of Potter Knowledge says:
I think it is an excellent idea to use qoute from childrens' books to explain difficult words.
It is very ingenious!
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 6:26 AM EST
Witch
Points: 540
*~*~cArLa~*~* says:
See how good Harry Potter is. Lots of laughs. But on a more serious note I think it's an excellent idea.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 7:18 AM EST
Witch
Points: 655
pine-fresh says:
Yeah, make it fun for the kids - do it for the kids!!!! I have noticed that JK has used malevolent a lot throughout HP...
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 7:39 AM EST
Goddess
Points: 3987
Banshee_05 says:
Wow! It doesn't get much better than this!!! Acknowledgement from an great "Institution" as Oxford Dictionary/ies. Kudos to J.K. and cheers to the admin. of Oxford D. :-D
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 7:54 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1248
Ivay says:
This is a very good idea of them, explaining hard words and they are from Harry Potter!
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 8:37 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1596
Truska says:
Very cool! Imagine writing best selling novels such as Harry Potter and then having parts of it put into a dictionary, more specifically, Oxford Dictionary's. Very cool!
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 9:46 AM EST
The Chosen One
Points: 9942
Gryffindor Dude says:
That is an awesome idea. I am glad that they are going to be helping out kids who don't have an extensive vocabulary. We definately need more of those.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 9:54 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 31
Muggle1612 says:
It's so so cool!!!!I knew they gonna do something with it!! :D
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 10:15 AM EST
Ravies Flying Instructor
Points: 3161
love2fly says:
Thats great to hear I know of a feww kids who love the Harry Potter movies but have some difficaulty with the books, they both finally just gave up.
Hopefully I can find the new dictionary soon hopefully they will be willing to pick up Harry Potter again and start reading if not at least they have a great dictionary to help them with other books.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 10:56 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 353
lovethekeeper says:
Well thats a good idea. I wish that it was added to the dictionary when I was younger. Well not Harry potter but something on a similar plane.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 11:20 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2856
Oliver Wood is Fit says:
That's a really cool idea actually, I'm not too sure about the malevolently quote though, I didn't know bats could do that!
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 11:30 AM EST
Chief Auror
Points: 15502
auror_potter says:
Ha Ha Ha thats kind of funny but at the same time I think that it may help younger people how to understand the book better.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 11:50 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 357
fair fairy says:
That's really cool.Now new-readers could easily read Harry Potter books.This shows that Harry Potter has created it's value in different feilds of life.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 11:53 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 27
alliikat says:
I think its a brilliant idea! I love Harry Potter. Now we can realize what everything. Not that i don't no what they all mean already. Harry potter roxs.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 12:03 PM EST
Seer
Points: 15207
Brittany Radcliffe says:
HAHA thats great!
i think this is awesome that HP words are in the dictionary because this means that people actually take words that JK made up and put them into use.
isnt Muggle in there as well?
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 12:06 PM EST
Witch
Points: 804
PadfootsGirl says:
Great way of teaching children! JKR has a good knowledge of the English language which has bee diminishing over the years. All children should be given one and made to read it!
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 12:40 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 57
Fred90193 says:
That's fancy. Now I don't have to go bug my brother about what diffeent words mean. Actually, that only happened 3 times, but hey, ya' never know!
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 1:27 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1217
mahaliah 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. This is so awesome. Harry Potter will end up ruling the world sooner or later. ^-^ Go Harry Potter!! Yay!!
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 1:28 PM EST
Witch
Points: 971
IceQueen. says:
Thats great! Must buy dictionary, I have a horrible err...comprehension-ish thing..going on. Yes, thats a good idea for younger readers.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 2:16 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1098
LilyP says:
What a wonderful idea. Using the actual texts. JKR does such a nice job of doing just that - pushing language/vocabulary for kids. That is part of the reason it is such a treat to read.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 3:03 PM EST
Squib
Points: 175
white_angel says:
C'est un bonne idee. Very educational, yet entertaining
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 3:17 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1070
azkaban_wannabe says:
That's a great idea! I want to get it just to see what it what it has in it.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 3:23 PM EST
Witch
Points: 507
SiriusAboutHp says:
Thats brilliant. First they put "muggle" in the dictionary. And now, they use Harry Potter as a reference.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 3:27 PM EST
Squib
Points: 156
hermione_grangerstar0456 says:
This is really cool and I like that there are quotes from Harry Potter books!!!
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 3:54 PM EST
226-250 251-275 276-285
Back to top of page