This resource is in support of the Third Edition of Writing for Broadcast Journalists by Tim Crook and Rick Thompson published in 2025 by Routledge.
See: Routledge Media Skills books
The Oxford English Dictionary is the pre-eminent developing database and scholarly analysis of the English written and spoken language in the world.
It is based at Oxford University Press and is one of the descendant lexicograpical institutions inspired by the publication of Dr Samuel Johnson famous English Dictionary of 1755. He had studied at Pembroke College, Oxford University.
The dictionary as an institution has for many years been online and interactive, and continues to publish book forms of its many manifestations. The key url is https://www.oed.com/
The history of the Oxford English Dictionary- key events since the initial proposal in 1857.
Getting started video guides to the OED
OED learning and teaching resources
Quarterly updates. I would strongly recommend that broadcast journalists catch up with the quarterly updates to widen understanding of vocabulary and English usage.
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Updates and new words for September 2024
The new word entries. Words of journalistic interest and discussion.
billboard, v.: “transitive. To announce or advertise (an event, product, etc.) by means of a billboard or billboards. Also more generally: to publicize (something)…” Billboarding for publicizing is an alternative transitive verb when writing news stories.
British Overseas Territory, n.: “Originally: a territory (such as a country, province, colony, etc.) under the sovereignty or control of Britain. In later use: spec. any of fourteen…” Since UK news organisations are likely to cover British Overseas Territories there is some merit in finding out about them. See British government briefing at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5fdca611e90e07452a1c44de/UKOTs_Information_Paper.pdf
For example:-
‘ANGUILLA
The territory, situated in the Caribbean, consists of the main island of Anguilla plus some smaller,
mostly uninhabited islands. It is separated from the island of Saint Martin (split between Saint-Martin (France) and Sint Maarten (Netherlands)), 17km to the south, by the Anguilla Channel.
Since 1650 Anguilla has mainly been a British colony, and since 1980 (after a period of association with Saint Kitts and Nevis), became a separate British Crown Colony (now UKOT).’
chain migration, n.: “The practice whereby the successful migration of a person or group causes family or community members to relocate to the same country or region, or…” A useful term to understand and perhaps use when reporting migration stories which are very much current in 2024.
core competence, n.: “Of a company or organization: a defining capability or advantage. Cf. core competency, n. 2.” Useful term to understand and use in economics, business or financial reporting.
co-responsibility, n.: “Joint responsibility; (also) a shared responsibility.” A legitimate alternative to joint and/or shared reponsibility.
Crown Dependency, n.: “Originally: a dependency (dependency, n. 4c) subject to the control of the British Crown. In later use: with reference to the Bailiwick of Guernsey…” Journalists should be able to understand and properly apply the descriptions of British or UK Overseas Territory and Crown Dependency. The Channel Islands and Isle of Man are Crown Dependencies.
See the House of Commons Library 2024 paper on the Crown Dependencies by David Torrance at: https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/CBP-8611/CBP-8611.pdf
East African, adj. & n.: “Of, belonging to, or relating to the eastern parts of Africa; esp. the region including Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.” Useful description for these three countries in Africa.
extra-constitutional, adj.: “Not covered by or under the terms of a formal written constitution; existing or carried on outside the legal and political framework of a state or…” Useful term to use when reporting on politics and government.
flip-flopping, adj.: “Originally U.S. Characterized by constant or repeated changes of mind, standpoint, or allegiance on a particular issue, question, etc.” Potential accepted usage in reporting politics.
geolocate, v.: “transitive. To locate the precise geographical position of (a device, person, target, etc.), typically by means of GPS.” Useful verb along with ‘geotracking’ when covering missing persons and crime stories.
geotracking, n.: “The action or process of locating the geographical position of, or the path taken by, a device, person, target, etc., typically by means of GPS or…”. Same use in reporting crime or missing persons stories.
ghost gun, n.: “A firearm that is not registered or trackable; esp. one that has been assembled or manufactured by the owner, particularly using 3D printing.” Useful term of understanding when covering crime stories.
group chat, n.: “An online forum or facility enabling users to exchange messages within a group, typically relating to a shared interest; a conversation in a…” Nouns denoting so much of social and professional communications in the 21st century.
live chat, n.: “The exchange of messages in real time between two or more users of a computer network (esp. the internet); (now) esp. a form of online chat hosted on…” Same point to be made as in relation to ‘group chat’ above.
musical theatre | musical theater, n.: “A genre of drama in which singing and dancing play an essential part.” Useful to appreciate this specific field/area of the theatre and entertainment industry. Universities have been teaching separate courses in musical theatre.
neobank, n.: “A bank that is newly set up in the retail banking market, esp. with the intention of competing for business with large, long-established national…” Important noun to understand in financial and business reporting.
open source, adj. & n.: “Computing. Designating software or a program for which the original source code has been made freely available for others to use, modify, or…” Also being used to describe free to access online books, journalism and other content.
plea deal, n.: “An arrangement between the prosecution and defendant in criminal proceedings, in which the defendant agrees to plead guilty to one or more (sometimes…” Term used in court and crime reporting.
religious experience, n.: “A transient but intense sensory or emotive experience believed to be a transcendental or supernatural encounter with a divine power, esp. one…” Legitimate term to use in journalism now and helpful that it has a precise definition in OED.
Senedd, n.: “(The name of) the Welsh Parliament, the devolved, unicameral legislative assembly of Wales. Also: the building in Cardiff in which the Parliament…” All journalists in UK covering Wales should know about this noun.
sheisty, adj.: “Of behaviour, practices, etc.: fraudulent, dishonest, or deceptive. Of a person: shifty, unscrupulous, untrustworthy.” This is a legally dangerous word with libel/defamation implications.
smash cut, n.: “An abrupt, jarring, or unexpected transition from one shot or scene to another, typically highly contrasting, shot or scene.” A term in film/digital video and television production which is worth knowing in film, television or media reviewing and criticims.
thematizing, n.: “The action or fact of selecting, presenting, or treating something as a theme or subject; esp. (Philosophy) the action or fact of making something…” Those people in Britain who do not like what they regard as ‘Americanisms’ will not appreciate this noun. But its current usage needs to be recognised.
voice chat, n.: “A form of telecommunication that involves the exchange of live audio over a computer network (esp. the internet); a verbal conversation conducted…” A term accurately describing current social and professional activity in the digital and online age.
windbag, v.: “intransitive. To talk or write at length in a tedious or pompous manner, without saying anything of interest, substance, or value. Also transitive…” A word to be wary of in reportage because it is on the cusp of being defamatory in certain contexts.
winding down, n.: “The fact or process of gradually drawing to a close or being brought to an end; a decrease in activity, scope, or scale. Also: the slowing of a…” Legitimisation of regularly used word in reporting.
wizardy, n.: “Inexplicable and remarkable power, ability, or influence. Now esp.: great skill in a particular area of activity.” Welcome perhaps to the Harry Potter culture influencing the English language.
writers’ room, n.: “Chiefly in television production: a room in which a team of screenwriters work collaboratively. Hence: the writing department for a TV show.” Recognising a method of writing mainly fiction in television and online streaming platforms.
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The OED gives pronunciations for English as spoken in Britain and the United States throughout the revised text.
Did you know that the earliest known use of the noun journalism is in the 1830s?
See the online OED entry for ‘journalism’
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Some entertaining and instructive media programmes on the Oxford English Dictionary and related topics
Learning on Screen resources for those with educational subscriptions via universities, schools, colleges and libraries. Sign on first before clicking on Citation links.
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Samuel Johnson: The Dictionary Man. Saturday, 19 Sep 2009, 23:10 60 mins. BBC4. Director: Richard Alwyn
Synopsis:
Drama documentary telling the story of Samuel Johnson’s creation of the first English dictionary, in an attic room just off Fleet Street in Georgian London. The depressive writer-for-hire with Tourette’s syndrome did for the English language what Newton had done for the stars, classifying words, fixing their meaning and bringing order to the chaos of language. It took him nine years, but in the process an anonymous writer became a literary superstar.
CItation: Samuel Johnson: The Dictionary Man, 23:10 19/09/2009, BBC4, 60 mins. https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/prog/005A425C?bcast=33730319 (Accessed 25 Sep 2024)
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Balderdash & Piffle. Who Were They? Monday, 2 Jul 2007, 23:20 30 mins. BBC2 England
Synopsis:
Victoria Coren presents this series about words, inviting the public to make a vital contribution to the Oxford English Dictionary. Who was Gordon Bennett and what did he do to inspire such exasperation? That is just one of the word mysteries baffling the OED, as the programme heads off on the trail of the real people whose names have been immortalised in the English language. With contributions from Adam Hart-Davis, Marcel Theroux and Simon Hoggart
Citation: Balderdash & Piffle, Who Were They?, 23:20 02/07/2007, BBC2 England, 30 mins. https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/prog/006A1944?bcast=26756509 (Accessed 25 Sep 2024)
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Balderdash & Piffle. Dodgy Dealings. Monday, 9 Jul 2007, 23:20 30 mins BBC2 England
Synopsis:
Victoria Coren presents the series about words, inviting the public to make a vital contribution to the Oxford English Dictionary. The English language delights in words for dodgy dealers, rapscallions and other sorts of scallywag. Suggs joins the hunt for the original Jack the Lad, taking him on a tour of popular 1970s music. Neil Oliver gets stuck into Glasgow slang, and wonders why so much of it is so violent. Victoria gets all dressed up, hot on the heels of that wartime classic, the spiv.
Citation: Balderdash & Piffle, Dodgy Dealings, 23:20 09/07/2007, BBC2 England, 30 mins. https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/prog/006BAE03?bcast=26784173 (Accessed 25 Sep 2024)
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Balderdash & Piffle. Fashionistas. Monday, 16 Jul 2007, 23:25 30 mins. BBC2 England
Synopsis:
Series about words which invites the public to make a vital contribution to the Oxford English Dictionary. Victoria Coren leads the hunt for the word-origins of various footwear. When did ‘stiletto’ and ‘trainer’ come into the language? And where will the trail end in the search for the origins of ‘flip-flop’ as it veers from Japan to the Middle East? Comedian Marcus Brigstocke investigates why the French have such a hold on our fashion dictionary, only to discover ‘haute couture’ was invented in Lincolnshire.
Citation: Balderdash & Piffle, Fashionistas, 23:25 16/07/2007, BBC2 England, 30 mins. https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/prog/006DAC82?bcast=26841169 (Accessed 25 Sep 2024)
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How Reading Made Us Modern. Monday, 16 Feb 2009, 02:05 60 mins. BBC4
Synopsis:
English literature professor John Mullan explores the dramatic increase in reading which took place in 18th-century Britain, as it went from being the preserve of the rich to the national pastime it is today. In 1695, a tiny amendment to the British constitution allowed for a flood of publications, without which Britain would be almost unrecognisable. Mullan takes us from raucous, politically-charged coffee houses to the circulating library, the social space of the late 1700s.
Citation: How Reading Made Us Modern, 02:05 16/02/2009, BBC4, 60 mins. https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/prog/00DB3766?bcast=31636804 (Accessed 25 Sep 2024)
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Word of the Year 2017. Friday, 5 Jan 2018, 03:20 55 mins Channel 4.
Synopsis:
One-off programme that profiles the words that made it big in 2017, including ‘hatfish’, ‘manfant’, ‘broflake’, ‘lagom’ and ‘lykke’. Dissecting the meanings of these terms that have come to prominence in the last 12 months are Jo Brand, Sara Pascoe, Nish Kumar, Aisling Bea, Rik Edwards and Jamie Laing. Susie Dent explains which one has been picked by Oxford Dictionaries’ lexicographers as Word of the Year.
Citation: Word of the Year 2017, 03:20 05/01/2018, Channel 4, 55 mins. https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/prog/104A1129?bcast=125850570 (Accessed 25 Sep 2024)
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Word of Mouth. D is for Dictionary. Monday, 5 Aug 2013, 23:00 30 mins. BBC Radio 4
Synopsis
Since 1879, the Oxford English Dictionary has had only seven Chief Editors. As the current incumbent, John Simpson, prepares to retire later this year, Chris Ledgard pays him a visit. They look back at the challenges and the high points of his tenure; the controversies, the characters and the great weight of responsibility that the post carries. With archive of previous editors and staff, Chris and John consider what the future holds for this beloved institution.
Producer: Sarah Langan.
Citation: Word of Mouth, D is for Dictionary, 23:00 05/08/2013, BBC Radio 4, 30 mins. https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/prog/058844EB?bcast=99743660 (Accessed 25 Sep 2024)
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The A-Z of Dr Johnson: Words, Words, Words. Monday, 1 Nov 2010, 23:00 30 mins. BBC Radio 4
Synopsis:
Comedian Sue Perkins explores the house of Dr Johnson, author of the great English dictionary, which would set the standard for all future dictionaries and yet still led to his being sent to debtor’s prison. The towering figure of Dr Johnson has dominated the classification of English. The publication in 1755 of his dictionary has traditionally been seen as the starting point of the defining of our language, but this was by no means the first dictionary. Sue gets her hands on a precious first edition of the Johnson’s Dictionary and, along with biographer Henry Hitchings, meets the editor of the Oxford English Dictionary, John Simpson, to find out how Johnson set about his monumental task, which he completed in just nine years. Sue also visits the British Library in the company of antiquarian book seller Karen Thomson, who gives her a whirlwind tour of our earliest dictionaries, with all their attendant quirks and oddities.
Citation: The A-Z of Dr Johnson: Words, Words, Words, 23:00 01/11/2010, BBC Radio 4, 30 mins. https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/prog/0113AF6D?bcast=55089653 (Accessed 25 Sep 2024)
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The Battle For English. Thursday, 26 Mar 2020, 20:00 30 mins. BBC Radio 4
Synopsis:
The English language has long been accustomed to global dominance. Once the language of Empire, it is now the language of business. politics, academia, technology and even popular culture and sport. Lexicographer Susie Dent leaves Countdown’s Dictionary Corner to investigate the global dominance of English in a rapidly changing world. Teaching English as a second language is still a massive industry and Susie visits a college in London to find out why English is still the most popular language to learn. She also visits a primary school in Oxford where the curriculum includes Mandarin as an important global language of the future. With an estimated 2.3 billion English speakers in the world, only one in five have spoken the language since birth. Susie explores the changes in the English used by non-native speakers including the development of technical versions in areas such as banking, science and technology, and the hybrid Englishes such as Hinglish when two languages come together.
Citation: The Battle For English, 20:00 26/03/2020, BBC Radio 4, 30 mins. https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/prog/15AC8D11?bcast=131575947 (Accessed 25 Sep 2024)
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Afternoon Play: The Word Man. Thursday, 17 Jan 2008, 14:15 45 mins. BBC Radio 4.
Synopsis:
Chris Harrald’s vivid and imaginative play about Henry Fowler, the creator of the Concise Oxford Dictionary and Fowler’s Modern English Usage. Celebrating the beauty of language, the joy of words and the wonder of finding love later in life, this is a witty and erudite comic romance. With John Sessions, Toby Jones, Stella Gonet, Ewan Bailey.
Citation: Afternoon Play: The Word Man, 14:15 17/01/2008, BBC Radio 4, 45 mins. https://learningonscreen.ac.uk/ondemand/index.php/prog/005D518C?bcast=28362967 (Accessed 25 Sep 2024)
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