The Oxford English Dictionary has recently created a new website in order to get the public involved in researching the etymology of words.

‘The Appeals are a new part of the Oxford English Dictionary website where OED editors ask for your help in uncovering the history of particular words and phrases. Each appeal is an invitation to assist OED editors in finding the earliest recorded date (or some other key aspect) of a word, to provide an accurate picture of when it made its first appearance in English.’

This isn’t the first time the Oxford English Dictionary has appealed for help from the public. ‘The OED has welcomed contributions from the general public since the project’s very beginnings over 150 years ago.’ Head here if you think you can find a usage of the word mani-pedi before 1972 or baked Alaska earlier than 1882. A short video explanation of the new site can be found here.