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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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Professor
Points: 1032
bushbaby14 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 10:40 AM EST
Queen of the Yarn Ball
Points: 3798
red&gold says:
I thought everything in the world could be applied to Harry Potter in some way or another... :)
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 10:41 AM EST
Muggle Representative
Points: 9117
The Lime says:
Thats very cool, it's very very cool. When I first started readin Harry Potter in english, I'd never heard some of the words before.
Hahaha, actually I didnt know what those three words meant, so thanks for bringing them up ;)
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 10:44 AM EST
Squib
Points: 129
Tonks921 says:
this is briliont but it would hve helped if i had i two years ago.
* Angela *
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 10:46 AM EST
Mrs. Draco Malfoy
Points: 27555
Arika Granger Malfoy says:
Wow that is really cool. I wonder if there are a lot more from Harry Potter.......That is good that she gets acknowledged(woah cannot spell) for her BEAUTIFUL writing!!!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 10:47 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1217
Tiame says:
Yay! One of the first to post! This is so cool! Now kids can learn the meaning of these words in this funny,familiar way!!!!!!!!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 10:49 AM EST
Magical Owl Rising
Points: 4612
Hoots says:
When are Muggle and Quidditch going to be added to the dictionary? Or are they already in there? Brilliant!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 10:51 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 4th Class
Points: 1364
~*~ Ronald Weasley ~*~ says:
I think that really cool that they are using quotes from Harry Potter.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 10:52 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2401
tonks 27 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. and yet rowling writes so well that everyone would get the gist of what she was saying.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 10:53 AM EST
The American Wizard
Points: 3312
QuidditchKeeper925 says:
haha! thats cool HP in the dictionary. and now I actually know what the mean when the say that.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 10:54 AM EST
Keeper of Harry's Fate
Points: 8785
TheOneWhoMustBeNamed says:
Not a big surprise. It has gotten so much press and attention. Also, the series is responsible for so many young people starting to read. Well deserved and good to see.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 10:57 AM EST
Mistress of Music
Points: 8840
ViolaNut says:
I think "Muggle" has made it in... and I would have loved to have this edition of the dictionary when I was in kindergarten and actually read one! (Yes, I'm a dork, I'm a brain, it's why I'm in Ravenclaw, okay? :-) )
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 10:58 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1987
tigerlili_08 says:
That idea is awesome! Kids will understand the words now w/ something like HP. I probably need that dictoinary more than the 11 yr olds. =)
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 10:59 AM EST
Squib
Points: 188
Triofan4eva says:
I love finding words I recognize in books! That's great that they used the deffinitions from the books!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:00 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 465
Emmy Potter says:
Oooo!! Maybe I'll buy it. It sounds very, very interesting!!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:05 AM EST
Student
Points: 221
ccgirl says:
This will be good for some kids who are not that good at vocabulary, but love Harry Potter. This is a really good idea!!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:06 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 6
chickenflicker says:
Just 7 to 11 year olds? ^__^
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:17 AM EST
Witch
Points: 654
Millennia says:
Children today really do not know many of the words I grew up hearing. Kudos to JK Rowling and the childrens dictionary for making them available to the next generation!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:21 AM EST
Seeker of the Wands
Points: 18200
SunbeamVi says:
That is great that words from Harry Potter are added to the children's dictionary. Some of the words could seem hard to figure out the meaning.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:25 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1050
Phoenix Lover says:
Cool! Thats a very good idea.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:27 AM EST
Student
Points: 241
medea_smyke says:
Wow, that's awesome! I love dictionaries and it would have been really fun to have had something like that when I was a kid!
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:31 AM EST
Wizengamot Member
Points: 3231
Jencameby says:
I think this is a fantastic idea, it will help to improve younger readers experience of Harry Potter. It really shows how big Harry Potter is in the world.
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:32 AM EST
Slytherin's G Unit
Points: 6727
Billie Loves Adie says:
That is an excellent idea! It will halp younger readers understand hard words in HP. But are you sure that they will look in the dictionary???
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:38 AM EST
Head Girl
Points: 487
Gizymotor says:
Wow, that's so cool!! And I bet it really helps too!! Today, th dictionary.....tomorrow, the world!! hahaha
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:38 AM EST
Auror
Points: 4040
Dan's no.1 fan 4ever says:
Yeah, it's a good idea...but I doubt it will make people use dictionarys more
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:42 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1069
Xenatina says:
I totally agree, there's even some words in the Harry Potter books I don't understand, mainly cause it's British Lingo!
~Katie Bell~
Gryffindor Chaser
Posted Jul 1, 2005 at 11:45 AM EST
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