Which Dictionary Should I Buy? (Yeah, I know it's a lame topic)

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Hildegarn326

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I really am in the need for a dictionary now because my current one is just plain sad. It's a non-college dictionary that's 8 years old, missing a few pages, and torn into two different pieces. It just isn't adequate anymore now that I'm getting into harder HS classes. I'm currently looking at these:
Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary / Merriam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary with CD-Rom
American Heritage College Dictionary / American Heritage College Dictionary Deluxe Edition
Concise Oxford English Dictionary
I was originally thinking about getting the first one, but then I found the two others, which also seemed like great choices (Also look at their Amazon.com Sales Rank versus the first dictionary, pretty big difference). So, which one should I get?
 
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Nesagwa

Nesagwa

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My english teachers always prefered the American Heritage ones I think. Or the Oxfard ones, I cant remember.
 
galfordo

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American Heritage Dictrionary of the English Language is a good choice if you're looking for something that'll get the job done without cleaning you out. This is probably enough dictionary for 98% of the population. If you want something that's a bit more comprehensive, go for the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary. If you want to go all the way, you could always go for the 20-volume Oxford English Dictionary, for a cool 1500 bucks. :D

Yarrrr .... the last two are probably a huge overkill. I'd go with the first one, considering that you're a high school student. Go with this one:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...f=sr_1_2/102-8615299-0703341?v=glance&s=books
 
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Hildegarn326

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If the last two are overkill, why shouldn't I get them if they are cheaper than the one you recommended?
 
galfordo

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Hildegarn326 said:
If the last two are overkill, why shouldn't I get them if they are cheaper than the one you recommended?
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Because they're not cheaper than the one I recommended.

Here's the price of the second one:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...=sr_1_10/102-8615299-0703341?v=glance&s=books

And here's the price of the third one ( :eek: ):
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...=sr_1_40/102-8615299-0703341?v=glance&s=books


The one I recommended is about 40 bucks, which is a pretty good deal considering how nice of a dictionary your getting.
 
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Hildegarn326

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galfordo said:
Because they're not cheaper than the one I recommended.

Here's the price of the second one:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...=sr_1_10/102-8615299-0703341?v=glance&s=books

And here's the price of the third one ( :eek: ):
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/t...=sr_1_40/102-8615299-0703341?v=glance&s=books


The one I recommended is about 40 bucks, which is a pretty good deal considering how nice of a dictionary your getting.
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The ones that I considered cost less than $40. All five of them are around $20.
 
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Big Shady

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Go with American Heritage. Its a nice dictionary that has the origin of the words. (Latin, Germanic roots).
 
galfordo

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I still say that the American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language is worth the extra 20 bucks. The only problem with that one is that is a little on the large side, and you might not want to be lugging it around all the time. But I'd say it's the best you'll find at a reasonable price.

If you just want a college dictionary, I'd say go with the American Heritage College Deluxe Edition (why not? it's only a dollar more).
 
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Hildegarn326

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Big Shady said:
Go with American Heritage. Its a nice dictionary that has the origin of the words. (Latin, Germanic roots).
Click to expand...
Don't all dictionaries (At least college level ones) include the etymology?
 
galfordo

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Hildegarn326 said:
Don't all dictionaries (At least college level ones) include the etymology?
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They all do to some extent, but American Heritage does a more complete job in my opinion.
 
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Hildegarn326

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DashK said:
this thread is just fucking sad. :crying:
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Yeah, I know it's sad; I just needed to know which one to get.

That American Heritage one that you recommended is too expensive, I just want something under $30.
 
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I'd get the Scrabble dictionary if I were you, mainly because it qualifies "shat" as a word.

Merriam-Webster's is a close second though (they included "bootylicious" among their definitions.)

EDIT: Hahahahahaha. I feel like you just pulled the rug out from under my legs.
 
galfordo

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Just get this one, dude:

American Heritage College Dictionary Deluxe Edition

That's the best of any in your list. Besides, they're all good dictionaries anyway - buying one over the other isn't going to really make much of a difference in your life.
 
galfordo

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Hildegarn326 said:
So the fact that it was published 2 years ago isn't going to be a problem?
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No. Not a problem at all.
 
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Big Shady

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plus dude, you can always just use the internet. Its a wealth of information.
 
galfordo

galfordo

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Big Shady said:
plus dude, you can always just use the internet. Its a wealth of information.
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Information, and poop. Unfortunately, the poop is much easier to find.

dictionary.com is a pretty nice resource though.
 
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