[Ads-l] antedating of 'oudenology', etc.

[Bill Mullins]

> There is still need for a reading program and contributions from outside researchers, for the
> following reasons:
>
> Even ambitious and very competent staff online searching may have imperfections that can
> be ameliorated by outside help.
>
> Online searching may not be effective for some entries, especially for words that have multiple meanings.
> There are many entries that the OED's normal editorial processes may not get up to for decades, so that work by
> outside researchers may speed up the preparation of some entries.

I'd add one more reason to Fred's list.  Outside researchers may have specialized knowledge beyond that of the OED staff.  Supposedly, I am a SME/POC for the OED for any terms that may relate to magic, sleight of hand, conjuring, etc. (although it never seems to come up, as they haven't queried me in 15 years).  So I occasionally send in cites on relevant words, along with words from related fields (juggling, card cheats, ventriloquism, etc.)

> Our ADS-L listserv may be the main form of crowdsourcing by the OED nowadays.

That would only be true if the OED gets the information on a regular basis.  Often when I post cites to the ADS-L, I'll also address the post to the OED.  Sometimes they acknowledge receipt, and sometimes they don't.  I don't know if it is necessary to send cites directly to the OED, or if just posting them here is sufficient.  It seems like I've been told that someone regularly reviews the ADS-L archives for cites -- or maybe that was just Jesse taking on the job himself.  Can't recall . . . .

Bill Mullins



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