OT: Best dictionary for pocket and for desk

[Heretic Apostate]

I'm being forced to take a business English course. It is highly suggested that I purchase a dictionary. I don't want to just assume the one offered in the college bookstore is the best, so I figured I'd ask here, where we have writers of every stripe, what dictionaries they'd recommend (1) for carrying around (backpack rather than pocket, but whatever...) and (2) for having on the shelf when one needs an unabridged dictionary.

Up to date would be great. It has to be in American English, though if the shelved dictionary includes alternat (British/Canadian/Aussie) spellings it would still be okay. Some type of word origins would be great.

Heck, while I'm on it, how about a thesaurus, and other similar books. Might as well have them on my shelf next to my calculus books. I already have several "style" books, including grammar and stuff. ("How 10," for instance.)

 

[babomb]

I usually use http://www.m-w.com

 

[Umbran]

On thesauri - unlike dictionaries, the organization and layout of thesauri is not standardized. And that can be more important than anything else about it. Go to a bookstore and look through a few, and see which you like.

I've got a Random House paperback dictionary that has done me good service for many years. "up to date" is not as important as you might think. Sure, the language changes, things get added. But you're more likely to be interested in older words that aren't used as much, specially in a business-oriented course.

Random House, Webster, Oxford, all decent dictionary providers. There are many sorts - some designed for kids, some for adults, etc. So again, best advice is probably to go to a bookstore and thumb through a few and see what you like.

 

[Goobermunch]

I'm being forced to take a business English course. It is highly suggested that I purchase a dictionary. I don't want to just assume the one offered in the college bookstore is the best, so I figured I'd ask here, where we have writers of every stripe, what dictionaries they'd recommend (1) for carrying around (backpack rather than pocket, but whatever...) and (2) for having on the shelf when one needs an unabridged dictionary.

Up to date would be great. It has to be in American English, though if the shelved dictionary includes alternat (British/Canadian/Aussie) spellings it would still be okay. Some type of word origins would be great.

Heck, while I'm on it, how about a thesaurus, and other similar books. Might as well have them on my shelf next to my calculus books. I already have several "style" books, including grammar and stuff. ("How 10," for instance.)

I can't speak to the pocket dictionary, but if you're looking for something to kill a shelf with, you need the OED. It's the authoritative source for the English language. Of course, unless you've got $895 (plus s&h) to blow . . . and shelf space for 20 volumes, it might be more than you need.

It weighs in at a svelte 22000 pages.

--G

 

[ConnorSB]

Hey man, go for it. I know for a fact that I am the only person in my town with a real 20 volume OED. Its not only a good tool, it lets you play some REALLY good dictionary games. As for pocket, I've got a Websters New World Dictionary that I'm pretty happy with. Mm... dictionary...

 

[Wombat]

I am one of those odd folks who cruises the OED for giggles and grins -- but I love word history and evolution.

And if anyone can ever satisfactorily answer the question, "What is the linguistic origin of the term 'hunky dory'?" I shall forever be in debt.

Most standard dictionaries are about the same nowadays -- Random House, Funk & Wagnalls, Oxford, etc. Find one that fits your budget and size constraints -- the differences will be less important than the similarities.

I have also seen a couple dictionaries specifically of business terminology out there, but I am spacing on the precise titles & publishers.

Style books are generally useful only up to a point -- after you get beyond the basics they tend to get dragged down with hard-and-fast rules that seldom apply. Consider the Passive Voice -- of late this has been the bugbear of grammar. As someone who has dealt with Ancient and Medieval history I have found absolute need for the Passive Voice on many occasions. Equally style books do little to aid in fiction and/or poetry.

A good thesaurus can be both a useful item and a tar baby. They are good in that the can help spice up your vocabulary; then can prove a true menance when you choose a word that sounds nice, but actually has a shade of meaning you didn't really desire -- this trap is particularly dangerous if you are "following" a word like two or three place deeper into a thesaurus -- start by looking up a word, find a good one, but then notice it links to another word, and then another, etc. This led to a horrible translation out of China I had to deal with "Gently f*** the leg into position under the table". The instructions meant "screw into position", but someone got carried away...

So, my dictionary currently is a big New Webster's (with trips to the library OED for fun), my thesaurus is Roget's, and I have both Strunk & White and Chicago Manual of Style buried far away...

 

[Hypersmurf]

I am one of those odd folks who cruises the OED for giggles and grins...

An online treasure trove...

-Hyp.

 

[Hypersmurf]

And if anyone can ever satisfactorily answer the question, "What is the linguistic origin of the term 'hunky dory'?" I shall forever be in debt.

I take it the Japanese street name story isn't satisfactory?

-Hyp.

 

[orbitalfreak]

www.dictionary.com

 

[Wombat]

I take it the Japanese street name story isn't satisfactory?

-Hyp.

The problem is there is a black minstrel tune from about 2 years prior to Perry getting to Japan that uses the term

And, no, it doesn't seem to be connected with small boats, either...

Ah well, my search continues!