Influential German dictionary axes general masculine job titles to make language more gender neutral

Duden (pictured), which is similar to the Oxford English Dictionary, has scrapped the masculine form of nouns to be used to describe whole professions [Stock image] Germany’s most influential dictionary has stirred debate by issuing guidance to make the language more gender neutral. Duden, which is similar to the Oxford English Dictionary, has scrapped the … Read more

Countdown’s Dictionary Corner wordsmith SUSIE DENT reveals her top 12 festive linguistic gems 

Some 28 years have passed since I took my seat, rigid with fear, in Countdown’s Dictionary Corner for the first time and waited for the TV cameras to turn to me. A newly fledged dictionary editor at Oxford University Press, I was a reluctant addition to the hit Channel 4 words and numbers game show, … Read more

Tricky language quiz tests your knowledge of obscure new additions to the Oxford English Dictionary

Tricky language quiz tests your knowledge of obscure new additions to the Oxford English Dictionary – so, how many do YOU know? Quiz tests the nation’s knowledge of the newest words in the Oxford Dictionary  Posted on US trivia site Playbuzz, challenge asks ten multiple choice questions  Oxford Dictionary adds around 100 expressions to their … Read more

Oxford English Dictionary has been redefining words like ‘rabid’ and ‘shrill’ over sexism fears

No more nagging wives! Oxford English Dictionary has been redefining words like ‘rabid’ and ‘shrill’ because previous definitions were ‘too sexist’ The Oxford English Dictionary has been re-defining words like ‘nagging’ The huge project was sparked by a complaint from a Canadian anthropologist Around 500 dictionary definitions have been overhauled over the last few year  … Read more