Analysis of information sources in references of the Wikipedia article "Oxford English Dictionary" in English language version.
As a historical dictionary, the OED is very different from those of current English, in which the focus is on present-day meanings.
The Oxford English Dictionary is not an arbiter of proper usage, despite its widespread reputation to the contrary. The Dictionary is intended to be descriptive, not prescriptive. In other words, its content should be viewed as an objective reflection of English language usage, not a subjective collection of usage 'dos' and 'don'ts.
As a historical dictionary, the OED is very different from those of current English, in which the focus is on present-day meanings.
The Oxford English Dictionary is not an arbiter of proper usage, despite its widespread reputation to the contrary. The Dictionary is intended to be descriptive, not prescriptive. In other words, its content should be viewed as an objective reflection of English language usage, not a subjective collection of usage 'dos' and 'don'ts.