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Joined: Mar 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
An unsung contributing hero of the Oxford English Dictionary, Shulman's most fulfulling experiences were antedating other citations. I'm referencing the Seattle Times for those who don't wish (for some reason) to register with the New York Times: "Hot dog" a "doozy" for word detective, 91
By DOUGLAS MARTIN
The New York Times
NEW YORK — David Shulman, 91, a self-described Sherlock Holmes of Americanisms who dug through obscure, often crumbling publications to hunt down the first use of thousands of words, died on Oct. 30 at Victory Memorial Hospital in Brooklyn.
His friend David Kahn announced the death.
Jesse Sheidlower, editor at large of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), said Mr. Shulman contributed uncountable early usages to the 20-volume lexicon. "All very good stuff," Sheidlower said.
"What David did was read through the sort of things most people don't read," he added, mentioning yellowing editions of The National Police Gazette.
Sheidlower said only a few contributors were more prolific and fewer still possessed Mr. Shulman's knack for sending usable material. His name appeared in the front matter to OED's epochal second edition, as well as each of the Addition Series volumes, and is currently on the Web. http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002084525_shulmanobit07.html
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
Slightly off-topic, but you know what just occurred to me? Wouldn't it be great if someone created the equivalent of the OED, but for phrases, not just single words?
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
well, I don't know how complete the OED would claim to be in this area, but a great many phrases (such as hot dog) have singular entries, while others (e.g., to put on the Ritz) can be found under a headword (i.e., Ritz).
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
Really? Cool! I know we have had many questions here about the origins of phrases, notably "Origin of: "tread a fine line between ...." " and "Give Me the Exacts", lately.
I probably wouldn't think (at first) of looking under a headword, but occasionally I can learn a new trick.
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