Publishing
SIG
DICTIONARY AND THESAURUS PREFERENCES
SURVEY
DICTIONARY
AND THESAURUS PREFERENCES SURVEY
I received responses from 21 PubSIG members to the following question I
posed on April 7, 2004:
"Which dictionary
and thesaurus do you find most useful?"
The four most-used hard-copy dictionaries:
- Webster's New World College Dictionary
- Webster's Collegiate Dictionary
- Webster's Third New International Dictionary
- American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language
The most-used hard-copy thesaurus:
- Roget's (various editions)
Not surprisingly, many of us also use an online dictionary or thesaurus:
- Example: www.m-w.com/netdict.htm
But reading the full responses will give you much richer information.
So check them out below.
Thanks for your input!
--Meg Ashman (Publications Specialist, University of Vermont Extension)
**********
Fred Miller (Writer/Photographer,
University of Arkansas):
I continue to find my trusty American Heritage Dictionary most useful
-- perhaps only because it sits right next to my desk. For a thesaurus,
I've typically gone to Roget's, although more often, these days, I use
the one built in to Microsoft Word.
I prefer the online Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary and the
accompanying thesaurus. These online resources, which require a small
annual subscription fee, are very easy to use and are continuously
updated. They offer a free abridged version at http://www.m-w.com/. My hard copy desk
reference is Webster's Third New International Dictionary, Unabridged.
I have Webster's New World College Dictionary (fourth edition, 1999),
as well as the older Webster's Ninth New Collegiate Dictionary (1985).
I find them both useful and often compare entries in the two.
Judy Winn (Professor and Extension
Communications Specialist, Texas A&M University):
We're also lucky enough to have a copy of Webster's Third International
Dictionary of the English Language, unabridged (1968), which can't be
beat in many ways.
Vicki Miller (Assistant Coordinator,
IANR News and Publishing, University of Nebraska-Lincoln):
We use Websters NewWorld Dictionary -- Third College Edition.
Joyce A. Bower (Extension Specialist -
Publications, West Virginia University):
We also have Webster's Third Int'l (93 edition), which I use a lot.
Also use the 4th edition (2000) of Am. Heritage Dictionary.
Webster's New World College Dictionary, 4th edition
Brian Meyer (Director of College
Relations, College of Agriculture Communications Service, Iowa State
University):
I still have on the shelf my dogeared paperback thesaurus from college
(heck, high school): The New American Roget's College Thesaurus in
Dictionary Form, 1978
Judy Rude (Public Affairs Specialist,
Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service):
I have a unique dictionary that others might find useful. It is
the Reader's Digest, "Illustrated Reverse Dictionary." It was
published and copyrighted in 1990. I don't know whether an
updated version has been printed.
When a senior moment sets in and I can’t remember the word that is on
the tip of my tongue I go to my Reverse Dictionary. Ta dah!
I found the word I was looking for. It does take a little time
for adjustment; it is the "reverse" of how we were taught to use a
Dictionary.
My old stand by is Webster's Third International Dictionary of the
English Language, unabridged, 1986. It is a little hard to carry
in one’s hip pocket.
Sandy Ridlington (Managing Editor,
Oregon State University):
At Sea Grant, which is a federal-state program that funds marine
research, we have for over 20 years used the newest edition of the
Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary as our first dictionary
reference. This is the dictionary used by the American Fisheries
Society (a big publisher of marine material), the New Yorker (I called
one of their editors and asked), and many other publishing units. If we
cannot find the word we want in Merriam Webster's, we use Webster's
Third New Unabridged Dictionary, unabridged. Again, this is what the
New Yorker does, too. After that, if we still can't find a word, we run
through several other dictionaries.
As to a thesaurus, I have always used Roget's. I don't know if it's
better or worse than any other thesaurus; I'm just used to it.
Paul Neate (Head of Communications
Services, International Plant Genetic Resources Institute, Rome, Italy):
Here in Rome we swim against the tide -- we use the Oxford Concise as
our dictionary of first choice, and the Oxford English Dictionary
Online ("The definitive record of the English language") as needed.
Helen White (Texas A&M University):
I attended a copy editing seminar yesterday in Dallas presented by Copy
Editor magazine. Babara Wallraff was the leader and she recommended the
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, eleventh edition, and the
American Heritage Dictionary, fourth edition (because it has lots of
usage notes). She didn't give a recommendation yesterday for a
thesaurus, but her new book, Your Own Words, goes in-depth about
dictionaries, usage guides, style guides, etc. For a thesaurus, I like
good old Roget's, fifth edition.
I highly recommend the workshop. It is also scheduled for Atlanta, Los
Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York, Boston,
and Seattle. So, if you're interested in attending, check out www.copyeditor.com/workshops
for more info.
Sue Keller (Publications Manager,
University of Alaska/Sea Grant):
Charliese Brown (State Specialist for
Communications, Kentucky State University):
For some strange reason, I can't get away from using The American
Heritage College dictionary and Roget's II Thesaurus. I have also used
the Associated Press Stylebook.
Joyce Dolbier (Publications
Specialist, University of Florida):
When I have a question while in a learning curve, for Extension or
non-Extension articles, I consult one, some, or all of the four, until
I am able to form an answer for myself; they have served well for this
purpose.
Extension Articles:
1. Merriam Webster's Collegiate. [NON-ONLINE]
2. Webster's Third International.[NON-ONLINE]
Non-Extension Articles:
1. American Heritage [ONLINE]
2. Oxford Dictionary. [NON-ONLINE]
Peg Boyles (Writer and Editor,
University of New Hampshire):
Someone gave me the two-volume Shorter Oxford dictionary as a gift a
few years ago. I use it every day. I especially appreciate the detailed
etymology and the nuanced usage tips for each entry.
A side benefit: frequent use of these hefty volumes helps maintain
upper body strength. (Ooff! People without strong forearms, biceps,
tris, delts, pecs and lats will want to seek a more condensed
dictionary.)
As for a Thesaurus, I've used J.I. Rodale's Synonym Finder for more
than 25 years. Solid, no-nonsense, voluminous. Old J.I. had a passion
for words as well as compost.
Kathy Garvey (Statewide IPM Program,
University of California, Davis):
And the Associated Press stylebook is invaluable. All journalists and
public relations folks who work with journalists consider this "the
bible." I certainly do (as a former newsaper editor who now writes for
the press and works with the press)
If the agents are writing frequently for newspapers, they should
consider using the dictionary that is blessed by the Associated Press
Stylebook and Libel Manual.
The latest edition of AP Style that I have (2000, but I believe there's
a later one) says that for spelling and usage of words not in the AP
Stylebook, use (first) Webster's New World College Dictionary, 4th
Edition. If it's not there, AP says to then check Webster's Third New
International Dictionary of the English Language.
Sandy Clarke (Communications Manager,
Center for Agricultural and Rural Development, Iowa State University):
The journal I edited before joining ISU insisted on Webster's
Collegiate, which was in its ninth edition at the time. I now use the
tenth edition, and I use Roget's Thesaurus in Dictionary Form, but I'm
not sold on it. It seems thin and I'm often disappointed at the end of
a hunt.
Carol Ouverson (Communication
Specialist, Iowa State University):
The dictionary we use in Extension Communications at Iowa State
University is The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language.
We have various editions, some third and some fourth. We use
Roget's International Thesaurus.
Jim Coats (ANR Communication Services,
University of California, Davis):
Here's my pick.
Merriam-Webster's Tenth Collegiate Dictionary (1997); on my desk, a
frequent reference. Instead of grabbing the book, though, I'll often go
to www.merriam-webster.com and
look it up online.
Webster's Third New International Dictionary (1981); down the hall on
an old Tiffany dictionary stand (green-enameled steel on casters with a
split, spring-balanced platform [Oooh]) for those words that didn't
make the Collegiate cut.
Random House Dictionary of the English Language (1966); another huge
book down the hall, has a great list of arbitrary signs and symbols in
the back, in case you need to ask an author whether that's a breve or a
hacek.
Roget's International Thesaurus, Fourth Edition (1977); down the hall.
I like the numerically indexed version much better than the
dictionary-style (alphabetical order) one. Flip to the known
near-synonym, find its index number, and flip again to a list that
(hopefully) contains what you're looking for.
If an author uses a word I can't find in any of these -- sometimes a
newer coinage, sometimes a special-use word in the author's field --
I'll do a google search to get a sample of common usage and spelling.
If I can't find it there, I'll ask the author to defend its use.
Susan Roberts (Retired from Washington
State University):
I used the Miriam Webster's Third International Unabridged all 19 years
at WSU but was able to purchase an updated edition for the department
before I retired last spring. It has a section of "new words" in the
front and answers many questions about hyphenating or going solid.
However, I don't think it retained the Latin plant and animal names I
had come to rely on. You may have to search online for really new
medical terms, such as variations of e-coli.
Instead of consulting a Thesaurus, I prefer looking at the alternative
words defined in Webster's New World Dictionary. Too many authors use a
Thesaurus and wind up picking the wrong word. Webster's Dictionary of
English Usage is also a prize for anyone interested in how a word
evolved.
Dale Evans (University of Hawaii):
I like American Heritage; I don't use a thesaurus.
**********
Brian Meyer also shared the
responses he got to a question he posed, almost exactly 2 years ago,
about favorite dictionaries. Here was what was posted to the Writing
SIG list:
--------------------------------------
I can't say whether it's a better dictionary, but we use Webster's New
World (actually Webster's New World College Dictionary) strictly
because that's what the Associated Press recommends as the companion to
its Stylebook. (We use AP style for all our news and publications.)
Tom Merrill
LSU AgCenter Communications
--------------------------------------
Webster's Collegiate is still the dictionary of choice for the
Associated Press. If you follow AP style rules, then it would be your
logical choice.
Robert Burns
Texas A&M University
--------------------------------------
As a newsie-type, I use the Webster's New World College Dictionary,
Third Edition (as instructed by my faithful AP Stylebook). Happy
shopping!
Martha Filipic
The Ohio State University
--------------------------------------
The AP stylebook advises using Webster's New World College Dictionary,
Fourth Edition, published by IDG books. This is if you want to or must
conform to AP style. For my personal use and for writing away from the
office I like to use the American Heritage Dictionary. It's well
designed, the typeface is crisp and easy to read (becoming more of a
concern every day) and it has helpful graphics and photos. The new
edition, which I don't have, even has color photos.
Steve Tally
Purdue University
--------------------------------------
Hey, Steve. You may not be looking for the best at any cost, but for my
money, you'd really be best served by Webster's Third New International
Dictionary. I think it's AP's second reference only because it's so
much more expensive than the smaller Webster's New World Colege
Dictionary. But if you're only going to buy a dictionary every 12 years
or so, it's still only about $9 a year, or $4 a year if you get the
CD-ROM version. And it's a *serious* wordsmith's dictionary.
Dan Rahn
University of Georgia
--------------------------------------
The latest edition of the Oxford English Dictionary...still the most
exhaustive, poetic, genuine article.
Theresa Novak
Oregon State University
--------------------------------------
Atomica, http://www.atomica.com
...it's free, it's awesome. You can right click on any word in any
application and get a pop up dictionary, thesaurus, language
translator, google search and maps all in one cool little package. It
is directly linked to The American Heritage Dictionary of the English
Language, Fourth Edition, by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Dennis Hinkamp
Utah State University
--------------------------------------
I'll leave the printed-dictionary to the others, but I'll also suggest
bookmarking http://www.onelook.com/.
It's a Web site for what they claim is access to more than 750 online
dictionaries. I've found it particularly helpful for scientific
spelling and definitions.
Rick Bogren
Assistant Professor, news and public relations
LSU AgCenter
--------------------------------------
My solution: Use this great Web site http://www.m-w.com
(Merriam Webster).
Ruth Book
Iowa State University
--------------------------------------
I like the new Encarta.
Marci Hilt
USDA
--------------------------------------
We ought to shy away from some of the new computer dictionaries that
have come available on grounds they haven't been written and published
by lexicographes, but by computer nerds who don't necessarily know or
care what they're doing. I'm trying to remember the example I've read
about a Microsoft product.
Terry Day
Washington State University
--------------------------------------
A subject near and dear to my heart. I like my dictionary --
Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary.
Linda Foster Benedict
LSU AgCenter Communications
--------------------------------------
If you still want a print dictionary in your office, Merriam-Webster's
tenth edition was voted the standard on a copyediting list I subscribe
to, over American Heritage.
As far as trusting Microsoft, just beware that in an article I was
editing yesterday, Microsoft wanted to replace "more low-calorie foods"
with "low-calorieer foods."
Kyle McCaskill
University of Maine
--------------------------------------
Then there's this just in, compliments of Tara Calishain's "Research
Buzz:"
Merriam-Webster Launches Reference Service -- Merriam-Webster has
announced a paid reference service at http://www.merriam-websterunabridged.com/.
The centerpiece of this service, as you might expect, is Webster's
Third New International Dictionary with over 470,000 entries. Also
available on the site are reference works, including Merriam- Webster's
Collegiate Dictionary and Collegiate Thesaurus, and The Merriam-Webster
Atlas. Subscribers also get access to word games, a monthly newsletter,
and lots of search options. Merriam-Webster is offering a free 14-day
trial (sorta; it looks like one of those deals where you give them your
credit card number and they don't charge it for 14 days.) Subscriptions
are $4.95 a month or $29.95 a year. Institutional pricing is available,
but it's not listed on the site -- instead there's a contact form. You
can read Merriam-Webster's press release at http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/020318/nem028_1.html.
Len Carey
USDA National Agricultural Library
--------------------------------------
For academic writing/editing, I've always used Merriam-Webster's
Collegiate Dictionary, because that's what the University of Chicago
Press recommends, and we follow U. Chic. style. I'm currently using the
tenth edition. University of Chicago also recommends Webster's Third
New International Dictionary (the Collegiate is an abridgment of this).
We have a copy, but this is much more of an investment.
I have to add my boo-hiss to Microsoft dictionary products. They have
decided to censor "negative" words, such as "idiot." See http://www.abc.net.au/pm/s400678.htm
