Dictionary.com - Not exactly a fan of homeschooling...

[ArcadiaGP]

https://twitter.com/oddlysaid/status/498903976361066496

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/homeschool?s=t

 

[HoughMade]

So that's what people with teaching degrees who couldn't find teaching jobs do for their $7.25 per hour.

 

[hoosierdoc]

Not what it says on mine

 

[pudly]

Not what it says on mine

They changed the sentences in response to complaints:

Dictionary.Com Removes Example Sentences Deemed Offensive to Homeschoolers

 

[steveh_131]

The more criticism we receive from idiots, the more confident we can be that we are on the right track.

 

[PistolBob]

Home School is not for everyone. But my family loves it.

 

[NyleRN]

My wife and I have decided to start home school this year. Our two oldest went to public school for up to 3rd grade. My two youngsters won't have to go to public school. I feel like my kids are much safer at home with my wife and my kids don't have to see/listen to all the negative influences

 

[RockofStrength]

I'd be curious to know how those sample sentences are generated. Do they pay some underling $7.25 to come up with 4-5 sentences for every word in English or is there some manner of data aggregation software in place that looks for common uses of the word in question?

 

[ModernGunner]

Based on the response by dictionary.com posted by pudly (post #4) to the letter they received from a concerned citizen, it would appear dictionary.com hires folks to come up with these sentences, and does review them for 'neutralness'.

 

[KLB]

I'd be curious to know how those sample sentences are generated. Do they pay some underling $7.25 to come up with 4-5 sentences for every word in English or is there some manner of data aggregation software in place that looks for common uses of the word in question?

Based on the response by dictionary.com posted by pudly (post #4) to the letter they received from a concerned citizen, it would appear dictionary.com hires folks to come up with these sentences, and does review them for 'neutralness'.

Actually their reply says a program finds the sentences and they review them.

Our 1,605,969 example sentences have been pulled programmatically from reputable publications online over the course of the last ten years, and our lexicographers are constantly reviewing them to ensure that our site is a reference source of the highest quality. As a small team, we appreciate you bringing this issue to our attention so that we could quickly fix this situation.

 

[RockofStrength]

Much thanks for the clarification. It seems somewhat of a combination of the two then, in which case the editors are very much culpable for their error here.

 

[KLB]

I imagine they didn't even think about it. I couldn't imagine going through the dictionary making sure the examples are pertinent and non-offensive.

 

[BiscuitNaBasket]

 

[HoughMade]

We are starting our 12th year of home schooling with our oldest a junior in high school. We have 4 kids in grades 11, 9, 5 and 4. It's not for everyone, but we enjoy it.

 

[JettaKnight]

Dictionary.com list "octopi" as an acceptable pluralization of octopus. Therefore, it can't be trusted.



The "i" suffix is a Latin rule of pluralization. However, Octopus is of Greek origin, and as such, the native plural would be octopode.

Stick with octopuses unless you want to be pretentious.