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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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Student
Points: 290
hairypawter90 says:
I think that this is a great idea! Not only will it help many people understand Harry Potter books/text better, it will give JK Rowling more recognition, not as a children's book writer, but as an author with a real text style, like JRR Tolkein. (did I spell that right?)
Posted Jul 5, 2005 at 10:34 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 90
BadMonkey says:
That is a really good idea. I wish I was a good writer becuase than I could help kids with there skills. Oh well!!!
Posted Jul 5, 2005 at 10:54 PM EST
Muggle
Points: 58
Weasly's_Girl says:
That is cool everyone (almost!)knows about HP anyway!!!
Posted Jul 6, 2005 at 12:36 AM EST
Witch
Points: 619
dance_girl says:
This is a good thing! New vocabulary is a good thing. And it makes Harry Potter easier to read.
Posted Jul 6, 2005 at 4:51 AM EST
Squib
Points: 140
Dark Lord DiG says:
Thats cool that some of her words are being recognized.
Posted Jul 6, 2005 at 11:28 AM EST
Points: 25
Muggle Mischief says:
I think it's great. Kids love the Harry Potter books and using references from there will make them learn and remember new words.
Posted Jul 6, 2005 at 12:06 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1961
Wart says:
Oh.... that is so awsome. But yes you could probably make a reference to Harry Potter for hundreds of other words...
Posted Jul 6, 2005 at 12:59 PM EST
The Fifth Marauder
Points: 2771
Curious Werewolf says:
Wow, wicked idea for children! I was 9 when i read the Philosopher's Stone and some words i didn't inderstand, i had to look them up in the dictionary! Wish i'd had that one though!
Posted Jul 6, 2005 at 3:23 PM EST
Order of Merlin, 2nd Class
Points: 1688
Woodfan says:
Thats so cool!! man Harry Potter's popping up everywhere.
Posted Jul 6, 2005 at 5:53 PM EST
Witch
Points: 631
unicorn handler says:
That's sort of funny...well cute so funny, does that make sense?
Posted Jul 6, 2005 at 7:06 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 309
Hermione Jane Weasley says:
that is a very good idea. it is nice to see that they are relating difficult words and ideas to things that kids find interesting. it also sounds very helpful. i am sure that my friends and I could have used that when we were first reading the books.
Posted Jul 6, 2005 at 7:25 PM EST
Student
Points: 270
magical red head says:
This is absolutely fabulous! I'm so excited HP is included among great literary references!
Posted Jul 6, 2005 at 7:32 PM EST
Witch
Points: 544
hedwig1017 says:
I love the Harry Potter references/examples. Now all we need is to get them to put Harry Potter vocab into the dictionary like "muggle." Haha - wouldn't that be fun?
Posted Jul 6, 2005 at 7:34 PM EST
Witch
Points: 557
Amelia Black says:
That's good. When I first read the headline I thought they meant that words like 'apparate' was in there and I was a little confused.
Posted Jul 6, 2005 at 8:18 PM EST
The Dark Knight
Points: 5789
minister for magic says:
Hey that is really cool!
Making references to Harry Potter like that is cool.
I wonder if we should get a new dictionary????
Posted Jul 6, 2005 at 9:30 PM EST
Prof. of Cultural Literacy
Points: 4469
PowerGranger says:
This is great. JKR's success has shown that people love her writing. She deserves to have her work featured with the best in this cool dictionary.
Posted Jul 6, 2005 at 10:49 PM EST
Professor
Points: 1023
hpff_#1 says:
Rowling deserves more than anyone to have her books featured in everything necesary. It's also great that the younger kids who read the books have a better veiw on what they are reading.
Posted Jul 6, 2005 at 10:53 PM EST
Squib
Points: 151
The Auror says:
That is a really good thing to do because now children who find some terms in the book difficult can get really deep information on the words.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 5:06 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 415
minerva1021 says:
That is a neat idea, children now have horrilbe grammar and a poor vocabularies. They should be using "bigger" words every day when they talk.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 1:15 PM EST
Lady of Godric's Hollow
Points: 5292
GodricsGirl says:
How brilliant!
What a wonderful way to help enhance and develope a child's vocabulary!
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 1:21 PM EST
Witch
Points: 983
LuNaWaNaBe says:
That is so cool. I used to have to look words up for home workl. It would be a lot funner if they had references to Hp!
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 3:02 PM EST
Witch
Points: 537
em_watson_rox_on says:
That's neet. They should come out with a whole dictionary with only harry potter references! Sweet, huh?
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 6:56 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 359
HermioneAndGinnyRock says:
I think this is really good because a lot of people, adults and kids, can connect with these books and now it's used for them to learn even better.
Posted Jul 7, 2005 at 10:46 PM EST
Head Girl
Points: 422
Dannylover says:
Freakin cool that is. I wanna buy a copy of that dictionary now. Oh I really should now!
Posted Jul 8, 2005 at 10:50 AM EST
Queen of Magical Divas
Points: 4336
Ezzy says:
maybe they could create a dictionary and reference all the book accoring to HP. That would be cool for yonger kids. :)
Ezzy
Posted Jul 8, 2005 at 12:00 PM EST
Prefect
Points: 378
potterhottie89 says:
I really think all harry potter terms should be in every dictionary!
Posted Jul 8, 2005 at 12:00 PM EST
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