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Literature

Which Magical Words from Harry Potter Are in the Dictionary?

The Oxford English Dictionary is a historical dictionary that has recorded core English words and meanings for more than 1,000 years, while the online Oxford Dictionaries include newer words and more modern definitions. Among the newer entries on the website are words created by J.K. Rowling for her Harry Potter universe, including "muggles" (those unfortunate non-magical folks) and "quidditch" (a fictional game played on broomsticks). Other Potter-related words may soon be added to the list, including "Potterhead" and "Wrock."

Words on the street:

  • The Oxford University Press has a database of about 3 billion words ready for editors to consider for publication in the OED and on the website.
  • Harry Potter isn't the only fictional franchise to spawn words for Oxford. Fictional words from The Hobbit, Star Wars, The Simpsons, and Roald Dahl’s Matilda have also been included.
  • William Shakespeare has had the biggest influence on the English language, providing the genesis of more than 1,600 words.

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