# Do you use a dictionary? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [May 6, 2003, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-dictionary/173470 "2003-05-06T18:50:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![MrO](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/50afbb/32.png) [@MrO](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrO)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 11:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-dictionary/173470/21 "2003-05-07T11:11:56Z")
Yeah, I use mine often. I prefer the Webster’s Collegiate in book form, which I keep right by the computer. I’ve used it at least twice today, once for spelling and once to check on etymology. I have been known to stretch out on the couch with a dictionary just for pleasure reading, though I don’t claim to have the massive vocabulary that this would suggest. I just like words. I also use a Korean/English dictionary a lot, but I think that’s different. I really need that, for words that I simply don’t know. With the English-only dictionary, I’d say that most of the words I look up are words that I already know, but just want to be more sure of. Checking on nuances and subtleties, you know. ---
**Author:** ![summerbreeze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3bc359/32.png) [@summerbreeze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/summerbreeze)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-dictionary/173470/22 "2003-05-07T11:44:27Z")
I own several dictionaries – English, French & Italian. I use the English dictionaries when I’m uncertain of a word’s spelling or exact meaning(s). The others when I need a word (had to tell a pharmacist in Bloise that I had hay fever). Sometimes use an online dictionary. At work, I use a pocket dictionary to show my boss that “protection” is not spelled “proctoction”, that “guarantee” is not spelled “garentee”, that “receive” is not spelled “recive” and so on and on and on. Also use a calendar to show her February doesn’t have 30 days. Next I plan to attempt to teach her to tie her own shoes. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![elfje](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19b73/32.png) [@elfje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfje)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 12:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-dictionary/173470/23 "2003-05-07T12:17:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dinsdale \* > \*\*I just used a dictionary to choose between words in another post, and it got me thinking, how many people consult dictionaries regularly to help in word use/spelling? > > Do you own a dictionary(ies)? \*\* yes, a good few\*\* > Do you use on-line dictionaries, or book form? **both, depending on the language** > Do you have one handy right now? \*\*yesb] > When is the last time you used it? **yesterday** > Do you use it for work? Social/recreational purposes such as posting on message boards? **both** > If you do not use a dictionary, why not? > Anything else you want to say about your dictionary use/non-use? > **not really** > > \*\* ---
**Author:** ![Daftbugger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9fc29f/32.png) [@Daftbugger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Daftbugger)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-dictionary/173470/24 "2003-05-07T13:25:07Z")
The only time I really use a dictionary is when I playing Scrabble or when I’m writing e-mails to my Dutch friend. I have to make sure I’ve spelt everything correctly in case I use a word he doesn’t know and has to look it up! ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@Tom\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_P)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-dictionary/173470/25 "2003-05-07T13:51:56Z")
_Do you own a dictionary(ies)?_ Let’s see… one English (Oxford), one Norwegian-English, one Norwegian-German and two Norwegian dictionaries. _Do you use on-line dictionaries, or book form?_ My college has a subscription to OED online. I also use Norwegian dictionaries online. _Do you have one handy right now?_ My Oxford Advanced Learner’s lies beside my monitor, I have to stand up to reach the others. _When is the last time you used it?_ Yesterday, for a post here on SDMB. _Do you use it for work? Social/recreational purposes such as posting on message boards?_ Mostly message boards nowadays, and when I am reading. Oh, and welcome to the boards **rolypoly**! ---
**Author:** ![Tansu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/67e7ee/32.png) [@Tansu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tansu)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-dictionary/173470/26 "2003-05-07T15:40:44Z")
I have a Concise Oxford Dictionary, a Robert Micro Poche (it’s medium size and 5cm thick - nothing micro or pocket about it!) and an Italian-English-Italian dictionary. I occasionally use an online dictionary. I use dictionaries to help me with crosswords. I don’t tend to use them when posting on a messageboard. I’d like to get a Chambers dictionary. I used to use my dad’s Chambers to help me with crosswords. I’m not sure whether to get one now, or wait for the new edition in September. ---
**Author:** ![elfje](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19b73/32.png) [@elfje](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elfje)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-dictionary/173470/27 "2003-05-07T16:20:38Z")
yeah, the Chambers dicitionaries are very good. I’ve the English-French-English Larousse Chambers, and it’s great! A good site for dictionaries online: [www.yourdictionary.com](http://www.yourdictionary.com) mvg, ---
**Author:** ![Spiff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiff/32/9852_2.png) [@Spiff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiff)\ **Post date:** [May 7, 2003, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-dictionary/173470/28 "2003-05-07T16:39:16Z")
Know eye dont. Whye dew ewe wont two no? ---
**Author:** ![MonkeyMensch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/82dd89/32.png) [@MonkeyMensch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MonkeyMensch)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-dictionary/173470/29 "2003-05-08T17:42:03Z")
**Do you own a dictionary(ies)?** Several. I like the _American Heritage 2nd Edition_ The 3rd edition went downhill, IMHO, with less exhaustive etymologies. I also have French, Spanish, German and Italian to English dictionaries. I speak Spanish and French, and just a smidge of the other two so those are always handy. **Do you use on-line dictionaries, or book form?** I use book form almost exclusively. I love books. **Do you have one handy right now?** Yes. It’s within arm’s reach at all times when I’m working. **When is the last time you used it?** Oh, about 90 seconds ago. **Do you use it for work? Social/recreational purposes such as posting on message boards?** Yep. I like to check myself on usage frequently. And every once in a while I find out I’ve been mispronouncing words that I thought I knew. Last example: _eschew_. I had always said, “e-shoo.” Imagine my surprise when I see it’s pronounced “es-choo.” And like many others I like to sit back and read my dictionary from time to time. I guess that makes me a logophiliac. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![abderian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de0a6/32.png) [@abderian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/abderian)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 11:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-dictionary/173470/30 "2003-05-08T23:37:13Z")
**Do you own a dictionary(ies)?** I count five English, one French, one German dictionary on hand. I love dictionaries. Also have a crossword dictionary and a rhyming dictionary. Oh, and a dictionary of strange, rarely-used words – can’t recall the name of that one… **Do you use on-line dictionaries, or book form?** Both. Either. All. **Do you have one handy right now?** Mere steps away. **When is the last time you used it?** Today. I’m fairly educated, but sometimes I get constipation of the brain. I got stuck on “intelligible.” Couldn’t recall whether it was an “able” or an “ible”. **Do you use it for work? Social/recreational purposes such as posting on message boards?** Work, social/recareational and other stuff. Like I said, constipation of the brain – It’s a serious disorder affecting worn-out midlife folks. My condition is chronic. \*\* If you do not use a dictionary, why not?\*\* My point exactly. If you don’t use a dictionary, what is WRONG with you?!? 😉 My favourite dictionary is my rhyming dictionary. It’s just plain fun. And I couldn’t survive without a thesaurus, but that’s a horse of a different colour, so I won’t blather on about that here. ---
**Author:** ![X\_Slayer\_ALE](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/bbe5ce/32.png) [@X\_Slayer\_ALE](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/X_Slayer_ALE)\ **Post date:** [May 8, 2003, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-dictionary/173470/31 "2003-05-08T23:56:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NoClueBoy \* > \*\*:::looks up meaning of “dictionary”::: > > _ahem_ Yes. \*\* I looked up the word “Dictionary” in my dictionary. You know what it said? Main Entry: **dic·tio·nary** Pronunciation: 'dik-sh&-"ner-E Function: noun Inflected Form(s): plural -nar·ies Etymology: Medieval Latin dictionarium, from Late Latin diction-, dictio word, from Latin, speaking Date: 1526 1 : a reference book containing words usually alphabetically arranged along with information about their forms, pronunciations, functions, etymologies, meanings, and syntactical and idiomatic uses 2 : a reference book listing alphabetically terms or names important to a particular subject or activity along with discussion of their meanings and applications 3 : a reference book giving for words of one language equivalents in another 4 : a list (as of items of data or words) stored in a computer for reference (as for information retrieval or word processing) 5 : what you are currently looking at. …gotta have a dictionary. Cant watch porn without it. ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [May 9, 2003, 3:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-dictionary/173470/32 "2003-05-09T15:00:50Z")
usualy. ---
**Author:** ![Davebear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/bcef8e/32.png) [@Davebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Davebear)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-dictionary/173470/33 "2003-05-11T03:19:13Z")
\*\*Do you own a dictionary(ies)? \*\*Of course! My primary dictionary is the American Heritage, first edition, I believe. I should probably buy a new one, as mine is going on 30 years old. I also have Dictionary of Biology, but that’s in the back room. **Do you use on-line dictionaries, or book form?** Both. I like books, but it’s easier to look up synonyms online. **Do you have one handy right now?** Right behind me, within arm’s reach. **When is the last time you used it?** Last week, I think. Can’t remember what I was looking up, though. **Do you use it for work? Social/recreational purposes such as posting on message boards?** Not for work. For that, I use MSDN and Word’s spell checker. I use dictionaries primarily for recreational purposes, these days. It’s rare that I run across a new word, but there are more and more that I haven’t run across recently enough to remember their definitions. ---
**Author:** ![Upside\_Down\_Amber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/c2a13f/32.png) [@Upside\_Down\_Amber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Upside_Down_Amber)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-dictionary/173470/34 "2003-05-11T03:29:05Z")
I think if you read my post’s you’ll notice that I dont use a dictionary and I have no ablity to spell. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-dictionary/173470/35 "2003-05-11T03:41:41Z")
Let me cast my vote with the dictionary users. My MW Collegiate is well worn and is consulted regularly. After that text, I’ll go to OED, or an online source, but ususally don’t have to go that far. ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-dictionary/173470/36 "2003-05-11T03:43:34Z")
Unless I wish to spell usually correctly. _dammit_ ---
**Author:** ![j.c](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/73ab20/32.png) [@j.c](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j.c)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2003, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-dictionary/173470/37 "2003-05-11T04:56:14Z")
Do you own a dictionary(ies)? Yes Do you use on-line dictionaries, or book form? Yes, or yes to the second too Do you have one handy right now? Handy? There are several in the office. And I could alt-N to a couple, if I wanted. I almost never use MS dictionaries. When is the last time you used it? I double-checked some technical terms last week, but not with a dictionary. Do you use it for work? Social/recreational purposes such as posting on message boards? Work requires many dictionaries and many style books. Some more hateful than others. recreational as in for kicks, for posting on message boards, don’t bother. I enjoy comparing dictionaries. As a general rule, any dictionary printed before 1960 will have longer, and better entries than any printed after 1975. My OED rocks. I am still looking up the same words I was looking up in sixth grade, which has led to my theory that looking up a word will, instead of teaching you the meaning of the word, convince you that you will never, ever learn that word. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-use-a-dictionary/173470.md?page=1)