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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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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
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1401
Dobby`s Friend says:
That is a very good idea. I should get one of those, I don't understand all the words when I read the books in English! I surtenly didn't know these words... JK has a very colourful language, I think it is great.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 4:13 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1208
danradcliffelovr says:
It's nice they're using quotes from the Harry Potter books. Quidditch and Muggles should already be in there right?
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 4:16 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 421
Skittles77 says:
That is a really good idea. It should make younger kids understand the meaning of words better and expand their vocabulary.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 4:37 PM EST
Witch
Points: 790
The Flying Ford Anglia says:
Okay, so I'm not a seven to eleven year old but that would still be helpful even for me. Maybe I can learn some new words...hehe...
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 4:37 PM EST
Profesora de la Paz
Points: 2824
Sassafras says:
What fun to have JKR's world included in anything with the term "Oxford Dictionary" as part of the title! I'm thrilled for this recognition of the international fame of HP books.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 5:12 PM EST
Student
Points: 231
Ickle Dudleykins says:
Bloody Brilliant!!!!!!!!!! Using lines from books to help children understand the english language. Excellent! See Mom, Harry Potter is fun and educational.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 5:49 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 356
DracoHarryKKVG says:
That's a good one! I need to get one of those and show it to my mom. Hah!
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 6:13 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 315
Esmeralda says:
I love it! How cool is that??
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 7:22 PM EST
Lady of the Rings
Points: 4116
Padfoot4387 says:
I can't get over that! That is so, so cool. I wish I were a little kid again and in dire need of a better vocabulary! If I had that dictionary, I would've had no problem in learning new words, flipping flashcards for vocab. tests night after night...
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 7:24 PM EST
Obsessive Genius
Points: 3175
FeeLinG_bLuE says:
Very cool. Putting quotes from children's books into a children's dictionary...ingenious. =P
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 8:12 PM EST
Witch
Points: 755
harrypotter equalslife says:
Wow that is soo cool!! That is really awesome!! Its great that Harry Potter has become so popular that it is being referenced in dictionaries.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 8:26 PM EST
Witch
Points: 991
LoonyLuna11 says:
That is a really good idea. I like that they use references from kids literature to help them understand the words. Why does all the fun stuff happen now that I'm not a kid anymore?
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 9:14 PM EST
Princess of Nargles
Points: 4137
hp_fan206 says:
Wow thats great! JKR is really going to be a well-known author after this Potter Mania is over with. I can just see it :) She's been renowned so many times for her work its unbelievable!
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 9:39 PM EST
Auror
Points: 3239
Tenshi says:
Ooohh! That's is so cool! I wish I had one of those! It'd be cool to flip through the pages and go Oh yeah! I remember reading that!
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 10:09 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 482
HP4Evr says:
I'll keep one of those dictionaries handy!
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 10:12 PM EST
Goddess of the South
Points: 6100
Mrs S Black says:
That's good, those words should have already been in the dictionary, don't yall think? They are words I use all the time, I wonder if it is because of Harry Potter...hmmmm
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 10:35 PM EST
Squib
Points: 137
li_ke92 says:
That's great! It's a really creative way to market Harry Potter. I never knew what insolent meant until now.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 10:39 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1658
I luv to play Seeker says:
That's such a great idea. It will surely help kids to understand the book in a much better way.
Posted Jul 2, 2005 at 11:52 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1453
smart hermione says:
That's a great idea! Especially if the children like reading the hp books, then they'll look into the dictionary more heartedly.
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 1:29 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2624
ravenmadluna says:
I thought they were going to be adding one of her made up words, silly me. Well good for those little kids if they actually buy it, AND actually use it.
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 2:04 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1386
Alek Voldemortist says:
Many words I use right now come from Harry Potter, so I think that's good!
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 2:42 AM EST
Student
Points: 216
kRuMs1TrUeLoVe says:
Yay Harry Potter words. That is really good. I am happy that they did that. It is so awesome. Way to go. ;-D
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 3:00 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1248
-Alf- says:
Too bad they didn't have that in my time. I guess dictionaries these days need to capture the young children more than ever. I'm sure this will work because they'll be learning and having fun at the same time.
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 4:05 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2256
Harry Houdini says:
That's very cool that they added those words to it. But I kinda thought they were already in it.
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 6:53 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1127
Elrond says:
Hey thats cool, they should have had a dictionary like that out when I was in primary school.
Posted Jul 3, 2005 at 7:15 AM EST
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