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Word Nerd Quiz: When Did These Terms First Make the OED?

Beth DreherUpdated: Feb. 09, 2017

These eight words first appeared in the Oxford English Dictionary in 1913, 1963 or 2013. Can you match the word with the correct year?

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Reflexology

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n. A system of massage used to relieve tension and treat illness, based on the theory that there are reflex points on the feet, hands, and head linked to every part of the body. Did reflexology first appear in the OED in 1913, 1963, or 2013?

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1913

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It may sound more New Age than turn-of-the-century, but “reflexology” has been around for more than a century. The original meaning likened the practice to chiropractic care. 

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Squee

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v. to squeal in delight or excitement. Did squee first appear in the OED in 1913, 1963, or 2013?  

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2013

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Shortened forms of other words are trendy this year. Squee (short for squeal) joined apols (apologies), guac (guacamole) and srsly (seriously) and many more in the 2013 OED.

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Motorcade

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n. a procession of motor vehicles, typically carrying and escorting a prominent person. Did motorcade first appear in the OED in 1913, 1963, or 2013?  

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1913

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Lyle Abbot, automobile editor of the Arizona Republican coined this word in 1913, combining the -cade from cavalcade, with motor, a buzz word of the day. 

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Neuroscience

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n. any of the sciences that deal with the structure or function of the nervous system and brain.Did neroscience first appear in the OED in 1913, 1963, or 2013?

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1963

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Neuroscience seems to have ancient roots, but was one of the 420 words that entered the OED in 1963. 

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Me Time

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n. time spent relaxing on one’s own as opposed to working or doing things for others, seen as an opportunity to reduce stress or restore energy. Did me time first appear in the OED in 1913, 1963, or 2013? 

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2013

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It sounds like a holdover from the Summer of Love, but me time only entered the official lexicon in the last year. 

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Miniseries

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n. a television drama shown in a number of episodes. Did miniseries first appear in the OED in 1913, 1963, or 2013?

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1963

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The television miniseries had its debut in 1963. The first citation in the OED refers to Your Hit Parade, which ran for five weeks in the summer of 1963. 

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Home-wrecker

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n. one who is blamed for the breakup of a marriage or family, such as an adulterous partner. Did home-wrecker first appear in the OED in 1913, 1963, or 2013?

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1913

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This term, which has been used as the name of a sandwich, and several movies and songs, has been around since 1913. The first citation in the OED that uses the word to refer to a woman is dated 1960.  

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Spacewalk

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n. a period of physical activity engaged in by an astronaut in space outside a space craft. Did spacewalk first appear in the OED in 1913, 1963, or 2013?

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1963

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Spacewalk dates to 1963, although the first one would not take place until March 1965. 

Originally Published: December 13, 2013
Originally Published in Reader's Digest