Worksheet

UK KS3, US grade 6-8

Lesson 1 – Introduction to Dictionary work

  1. Have you ever heard of the Oxford English Dictionary?
  2. If you wanted to look up a spelling, what would be best?
    1. An online dictionary
    2. A small pocket dictionary
    3. A big multi-volume dictionary
  3. What advantages are there in having an online dictionary rather than a paper version?
  4. Can a paper dictionary tell you how to pronounce words?
  5. Can an online dictionary tell you how to pronounce words?
  6. Are dictionaries likely to include “modern” words or uses of words that you tend to use with friends?

The Oxford English Dictionary Online

Log in to the dictionary at

http://www.oed.com/

Once you know the basics of the online dictionary, spend some time becoming familiar with it. Look up words and feel free to explore the buttons and links; a good starting point might be the help files.

As part of your exploration, do the following little task:

Searching

Look up the word chill in a simple quick search:

How many results are there for the word chill?

In the advanced search mode, search for chill in definition, then select “NOT” cool, then choose add row and select “NOT” cold, both in full text.

What has happened to the number of entries and why?

In the last few minutes, answer the question:

“What does the OED online offer to users that you did not realise was there at the beginning of the lesson?”

Write your answers as bullet points.

Homework

Find out what you can about Received Pronunciation.

Lesson 2 – Using the OED Online

Parts of speech

What do the following abbreviations mean, as used in a dictionary?

  • adj.
  • v.
  • n.
  • adv.

Tick the words you would expect to find in a dictionary. Some of them have several meanings; so the word itself is probably in the dictionary, but is it in with the meaning given here?

  1. numpty
  2. spanghew
  3. burble
  4. muggle (meaning a non-magical person)
  5. whillywha
  6. fucate
  7. choler
  8. nadder (meaning a snake)
  9. nuncle (meaning your mum’s or dad’s brother)
  10. mobile (meaning a phone)
  11. text (used as a verb, meaning to communicate)
  12. radical (meaning amazing or cool)
  13. cool (meaning that you approve of something)
  14. snotty (meaning bad-tempered)
  15. hang (a verb meaning to spend time with your friends)
  16. floccinaucinihilipilification
  17. supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
  18. antidisestablishmentarianism
  19. scroyle
  20. streek
  21. logolatry
  22. plumper

You will now know that all the words are in the OED (Oxford English Dictionary) Online.

Now try to link the definitions labelled A to M below with the following words:

  1. numpty
  2. spanghew
  3. burble
  4. whillywha
  5. fucate
  6. choller
  7. floccinaucinihilipilification
  8. supercalifragilisticexpialidocious
  9. antidisestablishmentarianism
  10. scroyle
  11. streek
  12. logolatry
  13. plumper

  1. A verb meaning to throw violently
  2. A noun meaning the worship of words
  3. A noun meaning a small spot or pimple
  4. A noun meaning a creepy person
  5. A noun meaning support for the Church of England as the National church
  6. An adjective meaning false
  7. A noun meaning the jaw
  8. A noun meaning something you put in your mouth to make your cheeks look fatter
  9. A noun meaning to count something as worthless
  10. An adjective meaning wonderful
  11. A noun meaning an idiot
  12. A noun meaning a rogue
  13. A verb meaning to lie down

Lesson 3 – Looking up words

Use the OED Online dictionary to research and answer the following questions:

numpty

What is the earliest mention of this word?

burble

How many different entries are there for this word? Include nouns and verbs.

muggle

Find and write down all four main definitions of this word.

Make use of the quotations provided and write down the earliest recorded use of the word.

Why does the most recent definition have a capital “M”?

nadder and nuncle

Search for the word nadder. Can you see why you are taken to the entry for  nadder in adder? Can you work out why the word nadder changed to adder over time?

Now look at the n.nuncle; how is its relationship with the word uncle slightly different?

Can you read the Middle English (the language of Chaucer)?

Can you see any letters of the alphabet that were used in Middle English that are not used today?

Try re-reading the early definitions, substituting the unusual letters with the sound “th”. Does it make any more sense now?

text

Look up the use of this word as a verb.

Is to text a modern expression? What is the earliest use you can find?

hang

Look up the use of the word as a verb. Use the “About this entry” link to the right of the definition. How many numbered definitions are there?

Go to the bottom of the page where you will find the additional definitions published since September 2003.

When was hang first used with the meaning “to loiter/do nothing”?

Think of some words that you use which have not found their way into the dictionary in the way you use them.

Lesson 4 – Making use of vocabulary

Spend twenty minutes looking for some obscure or very long and little-used words in the OED. Six should be enough.

Make a note of the words and their meanings, to share with others later.

You are to use these words in a short piece of writing entitled “A most unusual person”.

This is to be a conversation between two or more people, one of whom uses language in a strange way. You are to try and make the personality of this character come through by the way he/she speaks. The character can be:

  • A show-off
  • A highly educated person who can’t communicate in any other way
  • Someone who has had a spell cast upon him/her
  • A joker
  • Any other type of person that suits you.

You will be told when to start your planning, how long it is to be, and how you will be assessed.

Back to top

Sign up for OED Word of the Day