i’ve never been on this site before – that is to say, you don’t even get like a couple free words

what a joke

  • lemmy_outta_here@lemmy.worldEnglish
    63·
    11 months ago

    Hi! With the OED, it has been like that at least since I started university in 2007. However, lots of public libraries have subscriptions. I just go to my library website, login, and follow the link to the OED. There are many other reference tools that are also included in my library card. Libraries rule!

    Edit: you can check merriam-webster for free, I think

  • KISSmyOS@lemmy.worldEnglish
    525·
    11 months ago

    what a joke

    In the past, you had to buy the book. Or go to the library to read it.
    Both of which you can still do. And with a library membership you can access the web version as well.

    How else do you expect the authors of the dictionary to pay their rent?

  • TheGrandNagus@lemmy.worldEnglish
    45·
    11 months ago

    You can still buy the book or access the site via most libraries.

    I get that it’s a bit annoying, but I’m guessing you’d also be annoyed about an ad-ridden, data-harvesting dictionary.

    The Oxford English Dictionary is without a doubt the most well-researched, comprehensive, and linguistically complete English dictionary on Earth, bar none. Nothing even comes close to its depth and scope.

    It perhaps is the most well-researched and comprehensive dictionary of all languages, but I wouldn’t know.

    It’s laid out in an unusual way and even has words and alternate meanings that haven’t been used for centuries. It’s not meant to be a general-purpose dictionary, it’s niche and predominantly for linguistic experts or people fascinated by language.

    An unbelievable amount of research goes into it, and those people deserve to be paid.

    There are dozens of freely-available general-purpose dictionaries out there if you want them.

    • NevermindNoMind@lemmy.worldEnglish
      21·
      11 months ago

      I was annoyed, like the OP, then I read your comment and now I’m impressed and have an urge to buy a copy of OED I most certainly will never open. They owe you a commission on my sale.

      • stoly@lemmy.worldEnglish
        7·
        11 months ago

        A copy will literally fill a shelf. It comes in volumes with addenda releases periodically.

    • brbposting@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      6·
      11 months ago

      In spite of the undeniable truth that the Oxford English Dictionary is a magnificent and exhaustive source of information on the etymology and meaning of the English language, it is my personal inclination to favor their compendium of synonyms and antonyms, which I prefer to other possibilities for their rich collection of words with similar or opposite meanings.

  • zelifcam@lemmy.worldEnglish
    21·
    11 months ago

    I get your point, but I think this is a bad example. There are ways to access their content with library’s and educational programs. Plus you know, it IS a book. Like a real book.

    Imagine getting upset and posting on social media because someone didn’t release their published book for free on the internet.

  • Veedem@lemmy.worldEnglish
    121·
    11 months ago

    It’s an extensively researched and informative book, much more so than other dictionaries. That information gathering process has to be paid for somehow.

  • beatensoup@baraza.africaEnglish
    103·
    11 months ago

    Here is an alternative that aggregates from multiple sources: https://www.thefreedictionary.com/

    While I do not oppose paying for definitions, there is someone confusing about collectively generated meaning being aggregated and packaged by one company for profit. A publicly maintained dictionary is a much much better alternative. I guarantee it would be more versatile and rigorous than this Oxford stuff.

    • Hawke@lemmy.worldEnglish
      2·
      11 months ago

      one company

      It’s a good thing there are lots of other dictionaries than the OED then.

  • stoly@lemmy.worldEnglish
    61·
    11 months ago

    Wasn’t it always a subscription? You really would only have easy access in a university library.

  • serpineslair@lemmy.worldEnglish
    61·
    11 months ago

    I personally use collins english dictionary. It’s the best online dictionary I’ve found (best descriptions).

  • mateomaui@reddthat.comEnglish
    21·
    11 months ago

    $29.95 a month? ok. The $100 a year is… better I guess.

    Surprised Wikipedia hasn’t put something like this is place yet. Maybe their end-year donations push brings in enough to hold it off.

    • stoly@lemmy.worldEnglish
      6·
      11 months ago

      The OED is like 150 years old with literally thousands of people scouring every possible source of English for any possible permutation of every word ever. It’s a reference for specialists, not public consumption.

      • mateomaui@reddthat.comEnglish
        31·
        11 months ago

        Yet every unusual entry I thought to look up says this:

        Some aren’t even that complicated or lengthy to define. As a specialist who would possibly use it, not terribly impressed.

  • where_am_i@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    37·
    11 months ago

    If the dictionary was free for all, how do you, OP, envision it would finance itself.

    Specifically: hosting, web design, keeping the dictionary up to date (new words, linguistic shift, new entomological research etc).

    Please, elaborate. Until then you’re a choosing beggar.