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Difference between revisions of "Oxford Dictionary of English"

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[[Image:Oxford Dictionary of English (2nd Edition revised).jpg|right|thumb|The ''Oxford Dictionary of English'' (2nd Edition revised), which is the "old" dictionary, added only a few new words to its predecessor.]]
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[[Image:Oxford Dictionary of English (2nd Edition revised).jpg|right|thumb|The ''Oxford Dictionary of English'' (2nd Edition revised), one of the show's former dictionaries, added only a few new words to its predecessor.]]
All words used on ''[[Countdown]]'' are judged against the '''Oxford Dictionary of English''', which has been through numerous versions during Countdown's lifespan. Each edition typically adds a number of new words, removes a few and clarifies the validity of some inflections (see [[Countdown#Letters round|Letters round rules]]).
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:''Oxford Dictionary of English (ODE) is separate to [[Oxford English Dictionary|Oxford English Dictionary (OED)]] and [[Oxford Dictionaries Online|Oxford Dictionaries Online (ODO)]].''
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The '''Oxford Dictionary of English (ODE)''' was the source dictionary used to judge words on ''Countdown'' from [[Series 43]] to [[Series 70]]. Each updated edition typically added a number of new words, removes a few and clarifies the validity of some inflections (see [[Countdown#Letters round|letters round rules]]). It was replaced by use of the of [[Oxford Dictionaries Online|Oxford Dictionaries Online (ODO)]] on a laptop in [[Series 71]], which also replaced the [[pencam]]. The third and last edition remains visible on the host's desk to this day, is still in use on [[8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown]] and remains part of the Countdown [[Goody bag|goody bag]].
  
''Countdown'' has always favoured shorter editions over the various comprehensive tomes issued by Oxford, both for reasons of television convenience and in an attempt to reward skill rather than knowledge of unusual words. Nevertheless even the concise dictionary includes a huge number of words which are likely to be unfamiliar to any one person, and some of these have become popular favourites on the show, such as {{word|TANGELO}}. Recently the most successful players, such as [[Conor Travers]] and [[Craig Beevers]], have taken knowledge of the high-probability obscurities to new heights. [[Stewart Holden]] admits that his [[Episode 3728|Grand Final]] win over [[Steve Graston]] hinged on his spotting the word {{word|WALDOES}}, which he had learnt only for its probability.
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''Countdown'' has always favoured shorter editions over the various comprehensive tomes issued by Oxford, both for reasons of television convenience and in an attempt to reward anagramming skills rather than knowledge of rare or obsolete words. Nevertheless even the concise dictionary includes a huge number of words which are likely to be unfamiliar to any one person, and some of these have become popular favourites on the show, such as {{word|TANGELO}}, {{word|LEOTARD}} and {{word|FANTOD}}. In the 2000s, some of the most successful players of this era, such as [[Conor Travers]] and [[Craig Beevers]], have taken knowledge of the high-probability obscurities to new heights. [[Stewart Holden]] admits that his [[Episode 3728|Grand Final]] win over [[Steve Graston]] hinged on his spotting the word {{word|WALDOES}}, which he had learnt only for its probability.
  
[[Susie Dent]], the programme's longest-serving [[lexicographer]], has frequently suggested that the words seen on ''Countdown'' contribute to decisions made about what to include in future editions. For example, after many years of being disallowed, {{word|RESOLE}} was finally introduced with the ODE 2nd Edition. Current popular requests include {{word|MOANIEST}} ☓ and {{word|CLOUTER}} ☓(however these have the anagrams {{word|AMNIOTES}} and {{word|COULTER}} respectively).  
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[[Susie Dent]], the programme's longest-serving [[lexicographer]], has frequently suggested that the words seen on ''Countdown'' contribute to decisions made about what to include in future editions. For example, after many years of being disallowed, {{word|RESOLE}} was finally introduced with the ODE 2nd Edition. Popular requests included {{word|MOANIEST}} and {{word|clouter {{x}}}} (although these have the anagrams {{word|AMNIOTES}} and {{word|COULTER}} respectively).  
  
Originally the show began with the Concise Oxford Dictionary and continued to use updated editions of it until the disaster of the 10th Edition, in which many compound words were removed if their meanings were considered from their constituents. After a contestant [[Episode 2682|lost a game]] after having {{word|ROADSIDE}} disallowed, it was realised that this sort of dictionary was not suitable for a word game. The next series switched to the New Oxford Dictionary of English, and the show has followed that line ever since.
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Originally, the show began with the Concise Oxford Dictionary and continued to use updated editions of it until the disaster of the 10th Edition, in which many compound words were removed if their meanings were considered from their constituents. After a contestant [[Episode 2682|lost a game]] after having {{word|ROADSIDE}} disallowed, it was realised that this sort of dictionary was not suitable for the letters rounds. The next series switched to the New Oxford Dictionary of English, and its updated editions were used until the end of [[Series 70]].
  
 
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==Timeline of Editions Used in Dictionary Corner==
==Editions==
 
 
* Concise Oxford Dictionary  
 
* Concise Oxford Dictionary  
 
** 7th Edition - [[Series 1]] to [[Series 20|20]] ([[Episode 1015]])
 
** 7th Edition - [[Series 1]] to [[Series 20|20]] ([[Episode 1015]])
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** 2nd Edition - [[Series 51]] to [[Series 54|54]]
 
** 2nd Edition - [[Series 51]] to [[Series 54|54]]
 
** 2nd Edition revised - [[Championship of Champions XII]] to [[Series 63]]
 
** 2nd Edition revised - [[Championship of Champions XII]] to [[Series 63]]
** 3rd Edition - [[Series 64]] to [[Series 69|69]]
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** 3rd Edition - [[Series 64]] to [[Series 70|70]]
* Oxford Dictionary Online
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* [[Oxford Dictionaries Online]]
** From the beginning of [[Series 70]], the validity of words will be determined using the online version of the ODE. The paper dictionaries in [[Dictionary Corner]] are to be replaced with a laptop.
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** Premium version (Oxford Dictionaries Premium) and free version (Lexico) - [[Series 71]]
  
 
==See also==
 
==See also==
 
 
{{WP|Oxford English Dictionary}}
 
{{WP|Oxford English Dictionary}}
  
 
[[Category:Countdown]]
 
[[Category:Countdown]]

Revision as of 11:29, 8 September 2021

The Oxford Dictionary of English (2nd Edition revised), one of the show's former dictionaries, added only a few new words to its predecessor.
Oxford Dictionary of English (ODE) is separate to Oxford English Dictionary (OED) and Oxford Dictionaries Online (ODO).

The Oxford Dictionary of English (ODE) was the source dictionary used to judge words on Countdown from Series 43 to Series 70. Each updated edition typically added a number of new words, removes a few and clarifies the validity of some inflections (see letters round rules). It was replaced by use of the of Oxford Dictionaries Online (ODO) on a laptop in Series 71, which also replaced the pencam. The third and last edition remains visible on the host's desk to this day, is still in use on 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and remains part of the Countdown goody bag.

Countdown has always favoured shorter editions over the various comprehensive tomes issued by Oxford, both for reasons of television convenience and in an attempt to reward anagramming skills rather than knowledge of rare or obsolete words. Nevertheless even the concise dictionary includes a huge number of words which are likely to be unfamiliar to any one person, and some of these have become popular favourites on the show, such as TANGELO, LEOTARD and FANTOD. In the 2000s, some of the most successful players of this era, such as Conor Travers and Craig Beevers, have taken knowledge of the high-probability obscurities to new heights. Stewart Holden admits that his Grand Final win over Steve Graston hinged on his spotting the word WALDOES, which he had learnt only for its probability.

Susie Dent, the programme's longest-serving lexicographer, has frequently suggested that the words seen on Countdown contribute to decisions made about what to include in future editions. For example, after many years of being disallowed, RESOLE was finally introduced with the ODE 2nd Edition. Popular requests included MOANIEST and clouter ☓ (although these have the anagrams AMNIOTES and COULTER respectively).

Originally, the show began with the Concise Oxford Dictionary and continued to use updated editions of it until the disaster of the 10th Edition, in which many compound words were removed if their meanings were considered from their constituents. After a contestant lost a game after having ROADSIDE disallowed, it was realised that this sort of dictionary was not suitable for the letters rounds. The next series switched to the New Oxford Dictionary of English, and its updated editions were used until the end of Series 70.

Timeline of Editions Used in Dictionary Corner

See also