What words do you use at work that are not used anywhere else?
The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is widely regarded as the accepted authority on the English language. It is an unsurpassed guide to the meaning, history, and pronunciation of 600,000 words— past and present—from across the English-speaking world.
As part of OED’s celebrations for the 90th anniversary since the first publication of the OED, they are running various appeals reaching out to the public asking for word submissions in certain areas. Previous appeals have included ‘words where you are’, ‘hobby words’, ‘youth slang’, and now ‘words at work’. In this latest appeal, our lexicographers are looking for specific terms to add to the OED from different working professions─ especially within the teaching profession.
Teacher word-appeal
Therefore, OED are reaching out to teachers everywhere to ask them to participate in our new word appeal, by submitting words and encouraging others to do so. You might have overheard colleagues or students using terms like bilge, and acha. Or perhaps you’re fed up of having squirrels in your classroom. Maybe you are fluent in the language of educational acronyms such as WWW, EBI or WAGOLL.
Whatever it is, OED would love to hear from you.
The OED already includes many terms from all kinds of trades and professions, but there are many more that will not yet have come to their attention – and that’s where the OED asking for your help. Whether you and your colleagues use terms that are specific to your workplace, or you’ve heard an expression and not understood it, OED would love to hear about it!
Please use the form to tell us about the vocabulary you use at work or have heard others use. You can also join the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #WordsAtWork. This is our chance to have education terms added to the Oxford English Dictionary and help shape the narrative.
