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Look it up, eh?
The Canadian Oxford Dictionary The Oxford Minireference Dictionary & Thesaurus Reviewed by Nicole Redman
A truly Canadian term with a definition that could only be found
in a truly Canadian dictionary. While Canadians may be at times
reluctant to embrace our uniqueness when it comes to the usage and
nuance of language we do to certain degree have our own special
way of speaking, writing and defining words. In this first Canadian dictionary by the world renowned Oxford
University Press, the opportunity to embrace such Canadian specific
words, places and people overflows. An extensive amount of research
has obviously been undertaken by the lexicographers of these 1,728
pages. While thumbing through the pages of this reliable dictionary I
came across a definition of Beavertail. Laughing, I counted myself
fortunate that it had not been published years ago when I would
play a common little joke on visiting friends and relatives in Ottawa.
With much fanfare I would invite them out to the Byward Market for
Beavertails. My victims in this much overplayed joke would gasped
in horror by the thought of consuming a beaver's tail. Their disgust
would turn to rather pleasant joy as they discovered that, as Oxford's
Dictionary defines it; a Beavertail is "a flat oval of deep
fried dough served with various garnishes, esp. sugar and cinnamon"
. The Canadian Oxford Dictionary contains over 2000 entries
like Beavertails that are specifically Canadian words and definitions.
Canadianisms like booze can, dipsy-doodle, felquiste, kick at the
cat and murderball are all in here with all their 'hoser' glory. This book is more than just a dictionary, it is also a reference
book with its ample informational entries which include short biographies
of Canadians ranging from Elvis Stoiko to Nellie McClung and Canadian
locations as diverse as Nunavut and the Red Chamber. However Canadian
first time astronauts Marc Garneau and Roberta Bondar have been
unfortunately overlooked. Despite this fact the dictionary at a
retail price of $39.95 and 400 entries in which snow appears is
still every writer's must-have to assist in creating that winter-scripted
masterpiece. In terms of the more technical aspects of publishing a dictionary,
the lexicographers of this particular one have outdone themselves.
Although a dictionary cannot teach people the correct way to use
a word -- this is can be a rather subjective exercise; it does school
us by indicating the more generally accepted spelling and definitions
of the word. This Canadian edition will let you know what the correct
Canadian spelling of "colour" is but will also indicate
that the American spelling of "color" may be used. Very
rudimentary lessons in the correct grammatical usage are also included
with most definitions. So if you are a Canajun hangashore with a garbuator that does not
work and you decide to call it a day and go out on the town for
a Burlington Bun and some brewis you may need this dictionary and
if the last couple of words made no sense to you then you definitely
need the Canadian Oxford Dictionary. While perusing the Oxford Canadian Dictionary with its considerable
weight I started hankering for something really compact but helpful
for those times when I am masquerading as the writer on the go.
I came across the Oxford Mini Reference Dictionary and Thesaurus. Whether you are the budding novelist or the college essayist this
mini dictionary may be a welcome asset when it comes to that last
draft. This book is unusual because it provides dictionary and thesaurus
features within the same entry. Pronunciations are also given for
odd or cumbersome words that threaten to become tongue twisters.
The mini's "L shaped" half frames really help to provide
the mini reference of over 160,000 definitions and alternative words
with a concise layout. It is also a suitable size for large pockets,
knapsacks and therefore can accompany on your many reporting jaunts
around the world. The plastic covering of the mini-reference is a welcome asset for those students and writers who like to munch while they work.
Published in Sources,
Number 43, Winter 1999.
Sources |