Dictionaries, Languages and Writing

English

A Dictionary of Slang
English slang and colloquialisms used in the United Kingdom plus links to many other slang and dialect sites for several countries
http://www.peevish.co.uk/ slang/

AskOxford
Oxford University Press site. Includes help with grammar, punctuation, use of English, collective terms, Plain English and, from the drop-down menu, a dictionary and thesaurus.
http://www.askoxford.com

BBC Skillswise, Words
BBC site covering grammar, spelling, reading, writing, listening and vocabulary
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ skillswise/ words/ grammar/

Cambridge Dictionaries Online
Search several Cambridge English dictionaries.
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/

Chambers Reference Online
You can search the whole of the 'Chambers 21st dictionary' and the 'Chambers thesaurus'.
http://www.chambersharrap.co.uk/ chambers/ chref/ chref.py/ main

Oxford English Dictionary (OED)
Members of Bedfordshire Libraries may use free the multi-volume online Oxford English Dictionary, which is otherwise available on subscription. The authoritative guide to the meaning, history, and pronunciation of over half a million words, both present and past
http://www.galaxy.bedfordshire.gov.uk/ webingres/ bedfordshire/ vlib/ 0.information_reference/ online_reference_books_oed.htm

Phrase Finder
The meanings and origins of over a thousand phrases, sayings and quotes.
http://www.phrases.org.uk

The World Wide Web Acronyms and Abbreviations Server
Dictionary of acronyms and abbreviations.
http://www.ucc.ie/ cgi-bin/ acronym/ index.html

World Wide Words
An entertaining site 'investigating international English from a British viewpoint'. Separate sections in dictionary format enable you to look up meanings and derivations of selected words and phrases, including new and obscure words. Includes articles and links.
http://www.worldwidewords.org/

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