4 ms·

One of my goals since I was in college has been to own the OED. I finally have the bookshelf space and have saved up for it, so I think this is the year I achie

One of my goals since I was in college has been to own the OED. I finally have the bookshelf space and have saved up for it, so I think this is the year I achieve my personal pinnacle of literary nerd-dom! There’s nothing like a stroll through the forgotten by-ways of the language.

Veen 4y ago
I have a Compact Edition—a micrographically reduced two-volume edition of the full dictionary—and it's one of my favorite possessions. Unfortunately, I don't think I could justify the space or the money for the full multi-volume version.
- leoc 4y ago
  Yes, used copies of the first-edition Compact OED are a great option. They don't take much space or cost much money: https://www.ebay.ie/itm/304361514092 https://www.ebay.ie/itm/304361514092 . They only give you the first edition of the OED and the first, 1933, Supplement, but that's really a solid 80%+ solution to the not-having-an-OED problem. Used copies of the current compact edition are significantly dearer, but for many people not unthinkably expensive.
  - jasomill 4y ago
    Not unthinkably expensive at all, at least compared to retail: Amazon lists several new copies of the second compact edition at $400–500. Adjusting for inflation, that's comparable to the $273 retail I paid Amazon for my copy in 2002. As with many other commenters, it remains one of my most prized possessions, and something I still use on a regular basis. I'd personally be wary of used copies purchased sight unseen, as the paper is quite thin and easily torn, even under arguably "moderate" use, and would probably save up for a new copy if buying today. If nothing else, the used copies tend to be missing the supplementary materials (slipcase, magnifying glass, user's guide).
- Agamus 4y ago
  The Compact Edition is excellent, but be warned - it's quite big! You'll need an oversized shelf for it. My version came in a box with a pull-out drawer at the top to hold a magnifying glass. In my home, we sometimes race to see who can get random information quicker, from the internet or from the OED; the OED is often more efficient.
- Bud 4y ago
  I have the compact OED as well. I will never give it up. The wonderful magnifying glass included with the set is still in perfect condition after thirty years of ownership. You can still find these in used bookstores. If you're very lucky.
- jll29 4y ago
  I would be interested to provide a new home to the 1989 edition in 20 vol. of the OED, if a reader owns it or know someone who does.
hodgesrm 4y ago
I had that same goal for many years and was fortunate enough to get the 1989 edition (20 volumes) "on sale" for a mere $999. It came in four boxes of 5 volumes each. It was a chore just carrying them to my car outside the bookstore. The OED is a marvellous human achievement. The thing I find most amazing is the confidence it represents that the meaning of language, despite its mindboggling complexity and ambiguity, can be captured in writing and transferred to others. It seems very much of a piece with the Enlightenment view that the universe is fully susceptible to human reason. I still find that outlook admirable, however imperfectly achieved. Besides, the OED is great for games. My favorite is "find the oldest quote." It's not hard to find quotes from before 1000, for example.

Veen 4y ago

I have a Compact Edition—a micrographically reduced two-volume edition of the full dictionary—and it's one of my favorite possessions. Unfortunately, I don't think I could justify the space or the money for the full multi-volume version.

leoc 4y ago
Yes, used copies of the first-edition Compact OED are a great option. They don't take much space or cost much money: https://www.ebay.ie/itm/304361514092 https://www.ebay.ie/itm/304361514092 . They only give you the first edition of the OED and the first, 1933, Supplement, but that's really a solid 80%+ solution to the not-having-an-OED problem. Used copies of the current compact edition are significantly dearer, but for many people not unthinkably expensive.
- jasomill 4y ago
  Not unthinkably expensive at all, at least compared to retail: Amazon lists several new copies of the second compact edition at $400–500. Adjusting for inflation, that's comparable to the $273 retail I paid Amazon for my copy in 2002. As with many other commenters, it remains one of my most prized possessions, and something I still use on a regular basis. I'd personally be wary of used copies purchased sight unseen, as the paper is quite thin and easily torn, even under arguably "moderate" use, and would probably save up for a new copy if buying today. If nothing else, the used copies tend to be missing the supplementary materials (slipcase, magnifying glass, user's guide).
Agamus 4y ago
The Compact Edition is excellent, but be warned - it's quite big! You'll need an oversized shelf for it. My version came in a box with a pull-out drawer at the top to hold a magnifying glass. In my home, we sometimes race to see who can get random information quicker, from the internet or from the OED; the OED is often more efficient.
Bud 4y ago
I have the compact OED as well. I will never give it up. The wonderful magnifying glass included with the set is still in perfect condition after thirty years of ownership. You can still find these in used bookstores. If you're very lucky.
jll29 4y ago
I would be interested to provide a new home to the 1989 edition in 20 vol. of the OED, if a reader owns it or know someone who does.

hodgesrm 4y ago

I had that same goal for many years and was fortunate enough to get the 1989 edition (20 volumes) "on sale" for a mere $999. It came in four boxes of 5 volumes each. It was a chore just carrying them to my car outside the bookstore. The OED is a marvellous human achievement. The thing I find most amazing is the confidence it represents that the meaning of language, despite its mindboggling complexity and ambiguity, can be captured in writing and transferred to others. It seems very much of a piece with the Enlightenment view that the universe is fully susceptible to human reason. I still find that outlook admirable, however imperfectly achieved. Besides, the OED is great for games. My favorite is "find the oldest quote." It's not hard to find quotes from before 1000, for example.