Release date 12/07/2001

Compact Oxford Reference Dictionary

Slobodan Milosevic debuts with Hillary Clinton

Q. Where can you find Damien Hirst, Sir Steve Redgrave, and Matt Groening in the same place? Or Tiger Woods rubbing shoulders with Vladimir Putin, J K Rowling, and Hillary Clinton?

A. The publication of the Compact Oxford Reference Dictionary sees them all make their debut in an Oxford Dictionary.

In recognition of their recent sporting achievements, Sir Steve Redgrave (who won his fifth consecutive Olympic gold medal for rowing) Courtney Walsh (who took his 500th test wicket in 2001), and Tiger Woods (the youngest player to win all four of golf’s grand slam events) have all entered an Oxford Dictionary for the first time. Following the addition of Doh! to the full Oxford English Dictionary, the creator of The Simpsons, Matt Groening now gains personal recognition in the Compact Oxford Reference Dictionary, along with J K Rowling who secures a place due to the phenomenal success of the Harry Potter books.

Catherine Soanes, editor of the dictionary, said "We chose a wide range of contemporary figures from all walks of life who have made a significant international impact, and defined their achievements for the first time in an Oxford Dictionary."

This premier dictionary contains many firsts: Hillary Clinton, the first First Lady to hold elected office; David Trimble, Donald Dewar, and Rhodri Morgan, the first leaders of the Northern Ireland Assembly, Welsh Assembly and Scottish Parliament; and Cathy Freeman, the first Aboriginal to represent Australia at the Olympic Games, all enter an Oxford Dictionary for the first time.

Heads of state from around the world feature including Thabo Mbeki, Gerhard Schroder, Helen Clark, Ariel Sharon, and George W. Bush, you can even find out what the "W." stands for.

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