The Origins of the Oxford English Dictionary

The podcast episode discusses the origins of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) and how it was created over several decades in the second half of the 19th century. The OED was born out of the Philological Society's desire for a national dictionary to rival those in mainland Europe. James Murray took charge of the project after the first editor, Frederick Furnivall, stepped down. Murray faced numerous challenges, including sorting through disorganized materials and working in a corrugated iron shed known as the scriptorium. Murray and his team of readers or volunteers, recruited from various sources, were responsible for collecting quotations to define words. The OED differed from Samuel Johnson's dictionary by emphasizing tracing language through quotations rather than prescribing usage. The project was a mix of professionalism and amateurism, with Murray valuing the contributions of readers from diverse backgrounds. The podcast also highlights the unsung heroes and colorful characters involved in creating the OED.