Dive into the extraordinary saga of one of the greatest literary feats in history with the "Stuff You Should Know" podcast, as hosts Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant are joined by contributor Allison Miller to explore the Oxford English Dictionary (OED). "You Down With OED?" goes beyond definitions, unfolding the OED's prestigious legacy as a historical record that narratively spans the full breadth of the English language, its origins reaching as far back as 1150 CE. The episode elegantly traverses the rich historical lineage of English lexicography and honors the visionary efforts of those such as Richard Chenevix Trench and the Philological Society, who laid the groundwork for this unparalleled dictionary.
The narrative takes an intriguing turn into the digital era, demonstrating the OED's evolution from weighty volumes to an expansive online resource that continually embraces new words in our fast-moving digital world. Highlighting the tireless volunteerism that underpins its inception, the podcast sheds light on notable contributors including women like Eleanor Marx and Marganita Lasky, and delves into the remarkable life of Dr. William Chester Minor, whose dual narrative of tragedy and scholarly contribution underscores the profound human stories behind the OED's creation. As Clark and Bryant tackle listener queries and recognize the value audience participation adds to their discussions, they enliven the podcast with a sense of community and contemporary relevance, making "Stuff You Should Know" an insightful celebration of language, humanity, and the enduring spirit of intellectual curiosity.
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The "Stuff You Should Know" podcast episode "You Down With OED?" delves into the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), celebrated as much more than a mere compendium of definitions. Hosts Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant, with new contributor Allison Miller, discuss its profound role as a historical document chronicling the journey of the English language from 1150 CE to modern times.
The OED traces its roots to lexicographic pioneers, such as Robert Cawdry and the Brothers Grimm, reflecting centuries of linguistic evolution. The Philological Society in London, with visionaries like Richard Chenevix Trench, aimed to create a comprehensive record of the English language, setting the groundwork for the OED.
As times changed, so did the OED, transitioning from a tangible collection of tomes to a digital platform, awaiting the release of its third edition. This shift reflects its adaptation to the ever-changing landscape of language and technology.
The episode also highlights the OED's expansion, incorporating new terms like 'Porch Pirate,' demonstrating its commitment to language inclusivity and relevance in today's digital era.
Integral to the OED's inception was the tireless dedication of Herbert Coleridge, and subsequent volunteers, including noteworthy women like Eleanor Marx and Marganita Lasky, who helped shape its rich content.
The story of the OED is rife with challenges and triumphs, marked by influential figures such as James Murray, who spearheaded the resuscitation of the project following the death of Samuel Coleridge, and Dr. William Chester Minor, whose story is particularly poignant and complex.
Minor's contributions to the OED were monumental, despite his personal battles with mental health, culminating in a horrific crime and subsequently a long-term institutionalization. Nonetheless, his work remained an essential part of the OED's legacy.
Minor's story, detailed in "The Professor and the Madman," exemplifies how adversity and scholarly achievement can coexist. His unique methodology and thoroughness added invaluable content to the OED, reflecting the human element in this scholarly pursuit.
The podcast isn't just about the past; it embraces current topics such as "Baumol's cost disease," brought up during a listener mail segment, demonstrating the program's range in addressing both historical and contemporary discussions.
Hosts Clark and Bryant value their audience, encouraging interaction and recognizing the expertise their listeners bring to the dialogue, further enriching the content of their podcast.
As the episode concludes, it not only celebrates the magnitude of the OED's contributions but also the intricate human stories that have woven together to form this unparalleled linguistic record, truly a tapestry of the English language.
1-Page Summary
The "Stuff You Should Know" podcast episode "You Down With OED?" introduces new contributor Allison Miller, whose work on the Oxford English Dictionary provides a unique perspective. Hosts Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant, with Miller's expertise as a historian and researcher, explore the OED's role as a comprehensive historical document that registers the English language's evolution from 1150 CE to the present.
James Murray's exceptional linguistic ability from a young age propelled him from his small-town origins to become a pivotal fig ...
The Legacy and Evolution of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED)
Transitioning over time, the OED has evolved from its costly first edition, accessible mainly to the wealthy and significant institutions due to its high price point at the time, a price which when translated into today's money, reflects its historical value.
The dictionary now exists in the digital space, illustrating its adaptation to new technology and how it continues to embrace an evolving linguistic landscape.
Highlighting its unmatched historical scope, the OED meticulously documents the English lexicon starting from the year 1150 CE. In a playful aside, the hosts Josh and Chuck speculate on what migh ...
Digital Revolution and the OED's Third Edition
Integral to the OED's inception was the tireless dedication of Herbert Coleridge, who served as the first editor. Sarah Ogilvy's book "The Dictionary People" gives us a window into the extensive involvement of volunteers, including women like Murray's own family and Eleanor Marx, in the dictionary's compilation.
Marganita Lasky's notable role, contributing thousands of quotations for later supplements, helped diversify the literary sources of the dictionary. The early processes Coleridge oversaw included community engagement, with volunteers poring over significant works of English literature to identify notable usages of words.
Coleridge's passion for the dictionary persisted up to his final days, evidenced by the disarray of definition slips found on his deathbed, along with his desire to study Sanskrit.
The story of the OED is rife with challenges and triumphs, notably during its conception. The Philological Society in London was founded in 1842 to document the full spectrum of the English language from the year 1150. They began this mammoth task without the certainty of a ...
The People Behind the OED
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Minor's significant contributions to the OED are underscored by his tumultuous personal history. After graduating from Yale and serving as a surgeon during the Civil War, he was marked by the experience of branding a deserter, which possibly triggered his later mental health issues.
His life took a darker turn in London when, gripped by delusions, he murdered George Merritt, an event that led to his prolonged stay in Broadmoor Asylum. Despite being institutionalized, Minor concealed this fact, which parallels his struggle with psychological issues and a disturbing incident of self-harm.
In an emotive farewell, Murray personally bid goodbye to Minor as he was transferred back to America for continued care, exemplifying their deep bond.
Dr. William Chester Minor's methodical book-by-book, letter-by-letter quotation gathering for the OED was unconventional yet highly effective. Beyond his scholarly pursuits ...
Dr. William Chester Minor: A Story of Tragedy and Triumph
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The podcast isn't just about the past; it embraces current topics as well. During a listener mail segment, the hosts delve into "Baumol's cost disease," a theory explaining the rising costs in labor-intensive industries without gains in productivity, a concept brought up to elucidate previous discussions about the soaring costs of attending NBA games and dining out.
This segment demonstrates the program's commitment to exploring a broad range of subjects, bridging historical content with present-day economic issues.
The podcast emphasizes the OED's longstanding tradition of crowdsourcing and values the active participation of its list ...
Engaging the Curious Mind: Podcast Dynamics
As the episode concludes, it not only celebrates the magnitude of the OED's contributions but also the intricate human stories that have woven together to form this unparalleled linguistic record.
The staggering number of 140,000 unresolved entries remained after the first supplement's release in 1933, representing the colossal ongoing e ...
Conclusion: The Human Element in Linguistic Endeavors
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