tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post6328417757675725584..comments2024-03-29T00:11:30.648+00:00Comments on Positive Letters ... inspirational stories ...: ABCs of Dictionaries …Hilary Melton-Butcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comBlogger55125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-25974107954842532522015-03-15T18:52:15.556+00:002015-03-15T18:52:15.556+00:00This comment has been removed by the author.Susan Scheidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09250142489341777926noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-66258478094152374162015-02-26T06:43:24.259+00:002015-02-26T06:43:24.259+00:00Hi Crystal - yes it is .. and I'd like to be a...Hi Crystal - yes it is .. and I'd like to be a fly on the wall as they make these decisions. Also there are other dictionaries where those words occur ... but I still don't think they should have been eliminated in the Junior dictionary ... <br /><br />As you say - there no doubt were lots of different ideas re other words ... cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-14104608048607787692015-02-25T17:01:48.683+00:002015-02-25T17:01:48.683+00:00*sigh* It's interesting where people place pri...*sigh* It's interesting where people place priority, eh? The same dictionary penned out by 10 different people would have an emphasis it 10 different ways. Crystal Collierhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03912469552483168148noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-48264227114711238832015-02-25T09:31:55.051+00:002015-02-25T09:31:55.051+00:00@ Julie - there are other dictionaries .. but the ...@ Julie - there are other dictionaries .. but the acorn seems a must as it sprouts and grows. Logic defeats me sometimes!! Glad you enjoyed the poem - I was pleased I've put it up here.<br /><br />Model patient me? no definitely not ... but I am recovering really well ... thank you.<br /><br />@ Brian - with your wordsmith skills I can understand your sentiments. We are isolating our kids aren't we .. not letting ourselves wander back in time and take a look at life when we lived in the landscape.<br /><br />@ Nat - yes it's interesting isn't it about not keeping and repairing things, saving bits and bobs in case they might be of some use.<br /><br />A taxi driver yesterday (as I can't drive at the moment I use taxis if I need to go somewhere) mentioned each soldier is issued with a mending kit ... <br /><br />I do put old things into the clothes recycling bank, I do have a mending basket: mostly used for buttons or odd things coming undone and an ironing basket ... but I try to do them so they don't hang around - comes of being single I guess: I can.<br /><br />@ Theresa - yes I wonder if those words will be around in 25 years .. whereas an acorn, a brook and a conker (if our trees don't get wiped out from a virus) ... will survive for another few decades, or even centuries, I hope.<br /><br />@ Eddie - O is for outrage - so true: many have been horrified by the exclusion at this dictionary level ... and yes we need new words but do these actually have value for the future of our fragile land and planet.<br /><br />@ Karen - I expect the words will be in the larger dictionaries - but if we don't learn a word as a kid we perhaps don't expand our vocabulary sufficiently to really appreciate our landscape and the reason we are here.<br /><br />Thanks everyone - I'm doing fine and recovering really well ... cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-80632856443253977312015-02-25T02:38:05.722+00:002015-02-25T02:38:05.722+00:00I totally agree with you! I think these words shou...I totally agree with you! I think these words should be included without a doubt. It saddens me to think about what future generations will lose in doing this. <br /><br />Glad to hear you are doing well! You continue in my thoughts and prayers. :) Karen Langehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18177923284595298347noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-13768450888397122842015-02-25T02:05:42.450+00:002015-02-25T02:05:42.450+00:00O is for Outrage
I don't think words should be...O is for Outrage<br />I don't think words should be deleted from the Dictionary . . . but I suppose new words come in from time to time . . . :)Eddie Bluelightshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18069024660422117718noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-66817839874814666962015-02-24T23:12:02.605+00:002015-02-24T23:12:02.605+00:00gosh, if we start eliminating words because they a...gosh, if we start eliminating words because they are 'quaint' or 'old-fashioned' and replace them with new-age, what will it look like in 25 years? *sigh*TexWisGirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13641962051044162710noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-38370609002618197722015-02-24T18:38:37.843+00:002015-02-24T18:38:37.843+00:00When my class of 9th graders was reading, "To...When my class of 9th graders was reading, "To Kill A Mocking Bird," they came across the word "mend" (when Boo Radley mended the boy's overalls). They had no idea what that meant. When I tried to explain what that meant I realized that no one "mends" anymore. Socks, etc. are just thrown away. Now no one has a mending basket, or an ironing basket either.loverofwordshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05763349886822924646noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-14599547871648764382015-02-24T17:30:50.843+00:002015-02-24T17:30:50.843+00:00it is sad some of the words that are left out now....it is sad some of the words that are left out now...in our shrinking reality...no longer relevant...we can live in the moment so much we isolate ourselves...from our history and reality....Brian Millerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00722940075884718007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-4773661906468949262015-02-24T10:03:06.315+00:002015-02-24T10:03:06.315+00:00I also think they should expand the dictionary ins...I also think they should expand the dictionary instead of removing words that every child should know. This really doesn't make any sense at all. Beautiful poem, Hilary! I'm glad you're coming along well! It sounds like you've been a model patient!<br /><br />JulieEmpty Nest Insiderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10074223969046687064noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-35221917204180170632015-02-24T07:27:30.273+00:002015-02-24T07:27:30.273+00:00@ Lee - you're right about the dumbing down an...@ Lee - you're right about the dumbing down and I quite agree about stretching our knowledge and like you I'm always checking up on things.<br /><br />@ Lynn - exactly.. love the English word 'golly' - guess that's slang? but I use it often. I know there are lots of alternatives that can be used - good to know you'll be using brook instead of creek.<br /><br />@ Clarissa - it's great to know we still use dictionaries ... and I always check things up .. I've a mini one and a larger concise Oxford one I use regularly ... <br /><br />@ Debbie - yes words are removed - I guess to keep the size the same, and to keep the usage modern as such: the price of progress ... I'm not sure about that!<br /><br />@ Connie - exactly removing a word because kids don't get out into the countryside to experience those things doesn't exactly seem like a good idea to delete them from the junior dictionary. Words that are prevalent today ... you're right - I wonder if MP3 will be around for over 200 years ... <br /><br />HIP: thanks everyone ... coming along nicely ... cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-21382900662079251322015-02-24T03:37:30.423+00:002015-02-24T03:37:30.423+00:00That really doesn't seem right to remove words...That really doesn't seem right to remove words and for the reason. It's amazing all the new words now because of some aspect of technology that is so prevalent currently. Most interesting post, as always. So glad you are doing better!Connie Arnoldhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06264510809220669622noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-62630247625561772252015-02-23T16:22:14.156+00:002015-02-23T16:22:14.156+00:00I was not aware of any words being removed Hilary ...I was not aware of any words being removed Hilary - and the reasoning does seem a little odd to say the least. I presume they will remain in the English language and be printed in the main dictionary? It sends a shiver down my spine to think of all those beautiful, familiar words disappearing. The price of progress?Deborah Barkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17261449936843388583noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-63520883801632235412015-02-23T13:23:52.858+00:002015-02-23T13:23:52.858+00:00I'm glad your hip is improving. Also, I love t...I'm glad your hip is improving. Also, I love the poem. I use a thick Cambridge Learners Dictionary. I love my dictionary.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12160669603997465454noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-34949196145889700792015-02-23T10:51:09.142+00:002015-02-23T10:51:09.142+00:00Golly - brook is such a beautiful word, too. I...Golly - brook is such a beautiful word, too. I'll make sure I use that word more often now, rather than the more often used (in the southern US) creek.<br /><br />So glad you are doing better Hilary!Lynnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13984802196897920610noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-37252534778571852902015-02-22T21:21:51.637+00:002015-02-22T21:21:51.637+00:00Now that was depressing. I guess dumbing down is e...Now that was depressing. I guess dumbing down is everywhere these days. Personally, I'm all for stretching the limits, and if I don't about something, I really do try to find out about it. <br /><br />Anyway. . .Hip, Hip, Hurray for you. No sticks and lots of stretching. You'll be doing a marathon next. I wonder if marathon is still in the dictionary?cleemckenziehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15456109243453726483noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-83016018676709851172015-02-22T12:18:47.506+00:002015-02-22T12:18:47.506+00:00@ Janice - it seems we're all befuddled that w...@ Janice - it seems we're all befuddled that we have to fall into the urban slot - when so many of us love our countryside and its life - but c'est la vie .... so quite agree with you.<br /><br />Captcha - just doesn't work ... and I prefer using the pop up comment box.<br /><br />@ Beste - looks like many of us concur with the sentiments here .. <br /><br />@ Dianne - I've no idea - but I'm sure it features in the next up age group dictionary ... but ....<br /><br />@ Michelle and as she says - is MP3 a word .... Bazza probably has it right (see his earlier comment) - but one does wonder re the powers that be - the editors I presume - who made these decisions ... <br /><br />Thanks to you all - at least we're singing from the same page ... it's not being heard - but we agree that these natural words should remain.<br /><br />Cheers HilaryHilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-2049886504788036712015-02-22T10:39:51.492+00:002015-02-22T10:39:51.492+00:00Why do they need to remove words? Since dictionari...Why do they need to remove words? Since dictionaries are meant to extend knowledge, can't they just leave the existing ones and add new words? It makes NO SENSE.<br />MP3 player as a word? Really? <br />So what's going to happen to abbreviations? Maybe they'll just scrap them? I wouldn't be surprised...Michelle Wallacehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02750092836481599870noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-84281337734759682932015-02-21T18:41:12.493+00:002015-02-21T18:41:12.493+00:00Why in the world would anyone remove acorn from a ...Why in the world would anyone remove acorn from a child's dictionary??Dianne K. Salernihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16459839567235304842noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-62359872536561115252015-02-21T18:11:02.709+00:002015-02-21T18:11:02.709+00:00This post of yours expresses things very dear to m...This post of yours expresses things very dear to my heart Hilary.beste barkihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15002530133068046229noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-60689553545052470132015-02-21T15:17:27.636+00:002015-02-21T15:17:27.636+00:00Thank you for letting us know about this, Hilary -...Thank you for letting us know about this, Hilary - at the risk of sounding like a female Victor Meldrew, I can't <i>believe</i> they'd be so shortsighted and stupid! You just need to read that richly expressive poem to understand why we need to expand kids' vocabularies, not shrink them!<br />PS Your new reCaptcha doesn't like how long I take to type! ;)janice hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05264755008473956457noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-70812693281265247502015-02-21T09:32:14.167+00:002015-02-21T09:32:14.167+00:00@ Ros – I enjoy putting poems up occasionally … es...@ Ros – I enjoy putting poems up occasionally … especially the classic ones (well my versions of classics!). I know the conker game has a bad name now … but I love conkers … the thorny shell and then the shiny nut inside … <br /><br />@ Patsy – I couldn’t agree more … we need kids to ask about nature and then to go out and find these things – the local parks are likely to have them … Eastbourne has red conker trees outside the library … <br /><br />@ Karen – thanks<br /><br />@ Nick – this is the dictionary for the youngest school ages (7 – 11 year olds) … but I just think the decision to include broadband, MP3 etc for that age rather than acorn, brook or conker … is unnecessary. Dinosaur – I wonder if they will remove it .. now that the Natural History Museum will remove their iconic skeleton and replace it with a whale … ?<br /><br />@ Holly –it appears they have to adjust the number of entries … so some will go …<br /><br />@ Alex – I agree … unless they’re catering to a world-wide audience … but acorns are found around the world … their decision making process would be interesting to find out about.<br /><br />@ Paula – yes to keep each dictionary manageable (entry-wise) … and they only update after a number of years (again I’m not sure of those parameters). Thank you – I’ll ease back in to blogging regularly … <br /><br />@ Rhonda – I agree: strange words they’ve added. Conker I think is probably a very British tree (Horse Chestnut) – even though it’s not native – and is found elsewhere in the world.<br /><br />@ Sara – Conkers are part of our childhood here. The dictionaries are published for various age groups … and I expect brook, acorn and conker will appear in the next age group version and will definitely appear once they reach adult level: which from your comment you’ve succinctly explained. <br /><br />Books disappearing won’t happen for a few centuries – and now that they’re worried we won’t be able to use our digital information, because development will have leapt ahead and the latest products won’t be able to decipher the earlier floppy discs with their content.<br /><br />@ Joylene – I know … especially at that age – where the kids will play in water etc … and if they get a chance play Pooh Sticks … <br /><br />@ Jen – they are still words and will appear in other dictionaries; what you call those egg-cup things falling from your oak tree – I’ve no idea!!<br /><br />@ Fil – it’s strange … and I wonder at their logic too<br /><br />@ Bish – two of those words are very odd to have taken out – brook and acorn: as you say.<br /><br />Exactly – that’s what I was trying to get across re the kids realising where their food comes from … and the necessity for them to understand the need to know – and us, as adults, to be able to guide them in the right direction … Plastic pollution is horrific, as too our destruction of our earth life … <br /><br />@ Gattina – I know it horrifies me at how little the children appear to know about the origins of things.<br /><br />Yes I can believe the kids know about computers and how to use them … but it doesn’t seem necessary to define a blog for 7 – 11 years olds. As you say vocabulary changes in all languages … <br /><br />@ Bazza – I’m sure you’re right – and party pooper you may be! I just thought the post would resonate. Sadly so many adults don’t get their kids out to experience the ways of nature … but I can see your point of view (sadly!) … <br /><br />@ LD – I agree – I don’t even know what an MP3 player is … my ignorance is bliss!!<br /><br />@ Keith – I’ve no idea .. the process of taking out and adding in words … and dictionaries only get updated every so often – just these words being removed from the 7 – 11 year age group upset me!<br /><br />Thanks everyone … I’m consolidating now – ie letting my hip settle … and not rush ahead – though I am ahead of what I should be able to do … Joylene – I’m not dancing yet!!<br /><br />Thanks for your thoughts – cheers Hilary<br />Hilary Melton-Butcherhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17596532480645510678noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-56671440197148222312015-02-21T00:36:35.283+00:002015-02-21T00:36:35.283+00:00This is really sad and mind-boggling. How do they ...This is really sad and mind-boggling. How do they justify taking those words out?? Optimistic Existentialisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11507986337866049924noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-270824161099669092015-02-20T20:49:24.833+00:002015-02-20T20:49:24.833+00:00How the heck is MP3 Player a word? Good grief.
Gl...How the heck is MP3 Player a word? Good grief.<br /><br />Glad your hip is doing better.<br />LD Mastersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01202135756299574972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6401528799218373095.post-54953182925326634702015-02-20T20:02:26.852+00:002015-02-20T20:02:26.852+00:00Hi Hilary. I suppose the job of a dictionary is to...Hi Hilary. I suppose the job of a dictionary is to reflect words which are being used - not to influence use or meanings of words. So, although I agree with (even love) the sentiment of this post I have to be a bit of a party pooper! The sad reality is that today kids are more interested in their technical toys. We should show our children and grandchildren the wonders of nature; I don't think it's the job of the dictionary to do that!<br /><b><a href="http://todiscoverice.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"> CLICK HERE for Bazza’s fabulous Blog ‘To Discover Ice’</a></b>bazzahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14794010156639774028noreply@blogger.com