NEW WORDS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 259, 2 November 1933, Page 6

NEW WORDS.

When the main work of the "New English Dictionary" was completed, five years ago, it was thought •tluit some two hundred and fifty extra pages might be sufficient for the supplement (says the "Observer"). It was soon found, however, that there was more material available than could be adequately represented in so small a compass, and the plans had to be greatly enlarged. The supplement has nowbeen completed with StiG pages. No attempt has been made to count the number of words, and senses of the words, which it has been rfecessary to include in the supplement. "It is not the number of words that matters," Dr. C. T. Onions says, "but -what they are." t With regard to the collection of material ' —the quotations on which the articles are based according to the historical method of the Dictionary—one of the chief sources of information has been the newspapers and magazines of the period. Thus, when Dr. Onions turned over a few pages of proofs in the great pile before him he found the "Observer" quoted more than a dozen times. It is the earliest authority for "Speakie," a word which was used before the period of the "Talkie," or talking film, to distinguish a stage play from the "Movies." It is now disused, but its inclusion illustrates the way in which, just in one sphere only, the supplement exhibits the development of the terminology of the drama. Amongst the other words, for which in the compass of a few pages the "Observer'' is also quoted, are "Slimming," "Slow-motion" and "Stalinist." The growth of our language in the present century owes many new words -Tid expressions to political movements, words such as "Fascism," "Hitlerite," "Nazi," "Steelhelmets" and, in connection with Russia, "Leninism" and the "Shock-troops" of workers. Among miscellaneous names Dr. Onions picked out Scotland Yard, the first example of the use of which is traced to 1564, in which year Miss Braddon's novel, "Henry Dun'bar," was published, with its reference to "DetectiveOfficer Henry Carter, of Scotland Yard."

The supplement contains a large number of words of American usage, the supervision of which has been undertaken by Sir William Craigie. "Nope," an American expression for "No," is traced hack to 1888. "Yep," for "Yes," is already in the main work. The history of "01v.," used as an abbreviation for all-correct, is given; its earliest occurrence, so fur as has been ascertained, being found in a Boston paper of 1840. "Gadget" lias been traced back in print to ISS6, but from information sriven by many correspondents it seems ! almost certainly to have been current about 1870, and perhaps even earlier. Further examples that were mentioned of additional words and names that have been born since the publication of the part of the alphabet, to which they belong were "High-ball, a drink of whisky and soda; "Scissors" in Rugger; "Fade-out" in cinematography; and Sherlock Holmes," used typically for a person who indulges in investigating and solving mysteries. One of the latest accessions to the Dictionary is "Body-line."