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From: cwh@drutx.UUCP (HoffmeyerC)
Newsgroups: net.books
Subject: RE: OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY
Message-ID: <2980@drutx.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 8-Jun-85 18:37:29 EDT
Article-I.D.: drutx.2980
Posted: Sat Jun  8 18:37:29 1985
Date-Received: Sun, 9-Jun-85 03:38:56 EDT
Organization: AT&T Information Systems Laboratories, Denver
Lines: 35


Two items: 1. OED editions quality; 2. Other dictionaries.

I got my own copy of the Compact Edition of the OED a little over
ten years ago.  My own copy was printed by The Clarendon Press.
I have seen copies printed by Oxford University Press, and made
available by the Book of the Month Club (et al).

My own estimate is that the Clarendon is a physically superior pair
of volumes.  The OUP papers are a dead chalk white, as compared with
the high rag, rich creamy colour and feel of the Clarendon papers.
And I understand that the Clarendon binding is superior, though I
can speak only for the papers.

The Clarendon Press Edition is *considerably* more expensive, but I
have found it an easier book to read - the chalk white paper of
the other is uncomfortable to the eyes.  I suspect the Clarendon will
stand up to Time better.
------
A fondness for the OED suggests but does not require a fondness for
etymology and philology.  There are two dictionaries, both classics
that I would recommend.  One is the Lewis and Short "A Latin Dictionary",
the second is the Liddel and Scott "Greek Lexicon", both published
by the Clarendon Press.

I hope this doesn't all sound like an add for Clarendon.  They are a
very old and reputable house, and I've been fortunate to acquire their
editions of everything from Calligraphy and Paleography to a dictionary
of Old Saxon.

"Some kids get their kicks vandalizing mailboxes
			- I like to look up old words." : Al Azif 22:13-14

"from the painstakingly crafted Gothic interior of WB2YHE"
- Carl Hoffmeyer  Tech Pubs  AT&T Information Systems, Denver  drutx!cwh