Terms: Print Dictionary: A printed, physical dictionary which you can hold in your hand Old: It is not the most recent edition of this dictionary Current ed. It is the most recent edition of this dictionary Search Engine: something like Google, Bing, or Yahoo Online Dictionary or Wiki: examples include Urban Dictionary, Mirriam-Webster Online, Wikipedia, etc. Knowing how to read/use a print dictionary: You can quickly and easily find the word you are searching for You can understand the printed pronounciation for each word You can understand the various symbols and abbreviations. When a word which has multimple definitions, you can understand which one to use for your purpose.
I know how to use a dictionary, but do not own a print one. I use online dictionaries usually, when the need arises. However, there are instances when I need multiple language dictionaries and for that, I have a few offline dictionary apps on my phone between a few languages.
I use online dictionaries. They're simply faster to browse. They also give out all the same information old print dictionaries do, and are free, and all of their updates are free.
I'm sure there's an old print dictionary somewhere in this house. >.> But I really have no need to use it. Simply googling "[word here] definition" is much easier. In those rare instances where Google doesn't automatically toss up a definition for me, one of the first sites listed usually has what I'm looking for.
Where's the option "My parents/friends are my dictionary because not only do I not know the definition of the word, but I also can't spell it enough to find it in print or online."? But, I do own a print dictionary and know how to use it. I mostly use online dictionaries though.
Big words can be hard. The good thing is once I learn and find the definition, I remember. Another good reason of using any sort of dictionary. Once you spend the time looking words up, you won't forget its spelling/meaning.
Eh. I find myself doubting my spelling on a lot of the same words over and over and wind up looking them up, so... Yeah. I wouldn't say that looking a word up means I'll always remember how to spell it. XD
I have old written dictionaries but prefer to use online dictionaries and search engines. Usually, when I just want something fast I use google, but when I want something more extensive I use online dictionaries and wikies.
Heh, there are some words I'm like that too. And still end up getting wrong, like seperate. Yeah, I wrote that wrong, but I always end up writing it like that before going back to correct it to separate.
I've got an old dictionary in the box of books I never unpacked when I moved into my current home a few years ago. I could still use it proficiently, but I prefer using an online dictionary. All the benefits of a print dictionary without the annoyance of having to leaf through the pages to find the one word you want amongst a bunch of esoteric crap.
A few words that I have had trouble spelling correctly (but that I can get right after a try or two) I've actually incorporated into passwords that I use semi-often (but am able to get wrong once or twice without being screwed). I started it in high school and having to type it at least a few times a week and make sure that I type it correctly eventually helped me.
When I was in college, I studied in history, and we were allowed 1 Internet source for 5 "book" sources... So I learned to use all kinds of encyclopaedias, thematic dictionaries, census books... Honestly I prefer something printed out where I can highlight and write in the margins for any work / research purposes -- but for everyday use? Yeaaaah I use online versions.
Growing up, my parents bought me a lot of thesauruses and dictionaries to supplement my academics. Though ironically I never used them. I was able to expand my vocabulary through simply reading a lot, enough that I can participate competitively in spelling bees. I can guess at the spelling of a word just from hearing the way it's pronounced, and I usually got it right. For meanings, I am able to glean those just from looking at a sentence and how it's used in a passage.
I'm sure I have a print dictionary and thesaurus, if not two or three, lying around somewhere, but with the internet right there...why rustle it up and flip through the pages? Plus, you can't get lost for hours searching the etymology of the inquiry through links with a printed copy.
I can explain the password thing, if you thought it was confusing. Say I have trouble spelling the word "purple". I don't but if, say, I could usually spell it right after a few tries (perple? purpel? purpal?). I set my computer to be password locked to get past the home menu, so I type it every day but it doesn't care if I fail a few times. In this instance, a tactic I started using in high school to force myself to remember how to spell things would be to create a password from "purple", for example making my login password "butterfliesRpurple". Eventually, through being forced to type it so many times, think about the word daily, etc. it stops being difficult to spell.
