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Webster\u2019s New International Dictionary (Second Edition) was the largest book to be mass produced, but - as was revealed on 28th February, 1939 - it contained an embarrassing error: on page 771, between the entries for Dorcopsis (a type of small kangaroo) and dor\xe9 (golden in colour), was the word \u2018dord\u2019. Which doesn\u2019t exist.\xa0\nThe mistake had arisen from a note submitted by the dictionary\u2019s Chemistry Editor, Austin M. Patterson, who had intended to include \u2018D or d\u2019 as an abbreviation for \u2018density\u2019. It became the most celebrated example of a \u2018ghost word\u2019.\nIn this episode, Arion, Rebecca and Olly ask whether the time is right to re-introduce \u2018dord\u2019 to the dictionary; reveal how the word \u2018ghost\u2019 itself contains a \u2018ghost letter\u2019; and explain why the the 1975 edition of the New Columbia Dictionary deliberately included an entry on fictitious photographer Lillian Virginia Mountweazel\u2026\nFurther Reading:\n\n\u2018The Curious Case of \u201cDord,\u201d the Dictionary-Defined Word That Doesn\u2019t Exist\u2019 (MindBounce, 2020): https://www.mindbounce.com/446502/the-curious-case-of-dord-the-dictionary-defined-word-that-doesnt-exist/\n\n\n\u2018What Are Ghost Words?\u2019 (Grammarly): https://www.grammarly.com/blog/ghost-words/\n\n\n\u2018Ask The Editor: Ghost Word\u2019 (Merriam-Webster, 2011):\n\nhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D3sDiH3FhnY\nEnjoy this episode? The team have uncovered even MORE about trap streets and unrecognisable words, which you can hear exclusively if you\u2019re our supporter on Patreon* or subscriber on Apple Podcasts.\xa0\nSupport the show, skip the ads** and get bonus material every week!\n*top two tiers only. Patreon.com/Retrospectors **Patreon only.\nWe'll be back tomorrow! Follow us wherever you get your podcasts:\xa0podfollow.com/Retrospectors\nThe Retrospectors are Olly Mann, Rebecca Messina & Arion McNicoll, with Matt Hill.\nTheme Music: Pass The Peas. Announcer: Bob Ravelli. Graphic Design: Terry Saunders. Edit Producer: Emma Corsham.\nCopyright: Rethink Audio / Olly Mann 2022.\n#30s #Mistakes #Discoveries #Funny #US\n Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.\nLearn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices