Comments: ACROSS THE ALPHABET WITH OED UPDATES.

Damn you. You got to the Wodehouse first.

Posted by John Emerson at March 17, 2008 09:20 PM

For the sake of historical preciseness: that NY State Senate report was published in 1895, but the testimony took place on October 10, 1894. The entire testimony can be read here. Scroll back a few pages for the date.

Posted by Martin at March 17, 2008 10:21 PM

It's gratifying to know that people far smarter than me run straight to the F Word when demonstrating exactly how much can gets kicked by the OED.

Posted by ben at March 17, 2008 11:31 PM

Being an avid collector of old Hindi films, I was happy to see "mahurat" make the grade, also because the bangla version muharat feature in the name of one of my favourite movies.

Posted by Stuart at March 18, 2008 04:37 AM

Johnson: (to George) So, ahem, tell me, sir, what words particularly interested
you?

George: Oh, er, nothing... Anything, really, you know...

Johnson: Ah, I see you've udnerlined a few (takes dictionary, reads): `bloomers';
`bottom'; `burp'; (turns a page) `fart'; `fiddle'; `fornicate'?

George: Well...

Johnson: Sir! I hope you're not using the first English dictionary to look up
rude words!

Edmund: I wouldn't be too hopeful; that's what all the other ones will be
used for.

Posted by Conrad at March 18, 2008 06:07 AM

My sincerest contrafibularities on your excellent and appropriate reference, Conrad. Sausage!

Posted by Stuart at March 18, 2008 06:47 AM