Jules' Letter to Oxford English Dictionary, 12/02/96
The word Trevor had now become part of everyday language with everybody that passed through the doors of Hudson House and the word was spreading like wildfire. So much so that one of the future trevorers, Jules, decided that the bastion of the English Language, the OED should be made aware of this new word. The following letter was duly sent for their edification:
I feel obliged to bring to your attention a word which I feel sure you would wish to consider in the next edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. I am writing to advise you of this on the basis that there are several examples of words whose roots began as mere colloquialism or slang, but whose use was proved to be much more widespread. It is based on this, your criteria, that I write with great confidence regarding the word. The word, sir, is "trevor".
You will be quick to observe that there is no capital letter here. Whilst the use of this word is commonplace in its traditional noun form, you will soon be aware of its many contemporary uses as a verb "to trevor" or noun "a trevor".
I believe its noun inflection should be based on accepted guidelines although I believe its derivitives may cause discussion amongst scholars for years to come.
The use of "trevor" as a verb began in earnest in the mid nineteen eighties with the appointment of Mr Trevor Brooking as an assistant commentator on BBC's Match of the Day team. Within a couple of years, his insight, knowledge and free thinking led him to attain similar status in the commentary world as Messrs O'Sullivan, Benaud, Coleman, Maskell, Walker and Carpenter. It is worth noting that in Australia, a "Ritchie" is still a term meaning 'barb' in the wit context.
There are, of course, many historical precedents for the use of a word based on an original name. For example, the word "boycott", although seeming to epitomise a straight bat, does in fact come from Captain Boycott, an English army officer shunned by the Irish during British occupation. And who can forget the words "John Thomas" as established slang developed in the wake of that great literary masterpiece, Lady Chatterley's Lover.
"Trevor" therefore has many historical friends, though its originator may disagree.
With remarkable speed, the use of the word "trevor" has spread amongst sports fans everywhere. The verb "to trevor" developed meaning to show insight, to analyse, to scrutinise, to conduct in-depth analysis and in its most extreme form to complicate (though use in this case should be saved for exaggeration). Its closest meaning is the showing of insight and it is this meaning that produced the noun, "a trevor". This grew quickly to mean 'a gem of a piece of insight' erring slightly on the side of perspicaciousness than perception.
Whilst the precision of its meaning cannot be in doubt, I appreciate that the breadth of usage is a key factor in your decisions regarding new additions. I have a large number of people whose names and addresses I can provide who I have heard using the word "trevor" in everyday conversation and from all walks of life.
Indeed, as with all new words, my colleagues and friends were all stunned to find other people using the word. Examples include a stranger I encountered in a wine bar in London EC1 who first drew my attention when he shouted 'what's the trevor?' to some colleagues pondering their work activities. Another example was in a local shop when my fiancee overheard a lady telling her teenage daughter that she was going 'to trevor' the nutritional value of her weekly shopping basket. One example from further afield when in South Africa last year, a local man confirmed that many people had come to Durban just 'to trevor' the nightlife!
I appreciate that this is just the first stage in the approval process and I can assure you that, like any serious student of the English Language, I would not want to see "trevor" or any other word in the OED without good cause - but I really believe that "trevor" does indeed have a good case.
I therefore propose that this word be placed on the discussion list for the next meeting of the editorial committee, and I look forward to your invitation for further discussion and evidence. I am sure that the weight of evidence will eventually ensure its place in future editions and help maintain the New Oxford's reputation as the most reflecting and progressive dictionary in the World.
Yours sincerely
Julian E C Poulter, BA (Hons), MA. IMC, IPM, MCC
I feel obliged to bring to your attention a word which I feel sure you would wish to consider in the next edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. I am writing to advise you of this on the basis that there are several examples of words whose roots began as mere colloquialism or slang, but whose use was proved to be much more widespread. It is based on this, your criteria, that I write with great confidence regarding the word. The word, sir, is "trevor".
You will be quick to observe that there is no capital letter here. Whilst the use of this word is commonplace in its traditional noun form, you will soon be aware of its many contemporary uses as a verb "to trevor" or noun "a trevor".
I believe its noun inflection should be based on accepted guidelines although I believe its derivitives may cause discussion amongst scholars for years to come.
The use of "trevor" as a verb began in earnest in the mid nineteen eighties with the appointment of Mr Trevor Brooking as an assistant commentator on BBC's Match of the Day team. Within a couple of years, his insight, knowledge and free thinking led him to attain similar status in the commentary world as Messrs O'Sullivan, Benaud, Coleman, Maskell, Walker and Carpenter. It is worth noting that in Australia, a "Ritchie" is still a term meaning 'barb' in the wit context.
There are, of course, many historical precedents for the use of a word based on an original name. For example, the word "boycott", although seeming to epitomise a straight bat, does in fact come from Captain Boycott, an English army officer shunned by the Irish during British occupation. And who can forget the words "John Thomas" as established slang developed in the wake of that great literary masterpiece, Lady Chatterley's Lover.
"Trevor" therefore has many historical friends, though its originator may disagree.
With remarkable speed, the use of the word "trevor" has spread amongst sports fans everywhere. The verb "to trevor" developed meaning to show insight, to analyse, to scrutinise, to conduct in-depth analysis and in its most extreme form to complicate (though use in this case should be saved for exaggeration). Its closest meaning is the showing of insight and it is this meaning that produced the noun, "a trevor". This grew quickly to mean 'a gem of a piece of insight' erring slightly on the side of perspicaciousness than perception.
Whilst the precision of its meaning cannot be in doubt, I appreciate that the breadth of usage is a key factor in your decisions regarding new additions. I have a large number of people whose names and addresses I can provide who I have heard using the word "trevor" in everyday conversation and from all walks of life.
Indeed, as with all new words, my colleagues and friends were all stunned to find other people using the word. Examples include a stranger I encountered in a wine bar in London EC1 who first drew my attention when he shouted 'what's the trevor?' to some colleagues pondering their work activities. Another example was in a local shop when my fiancee overheard a lady telling her teenage daughter that she was going 'to trevor' the nutritional value of her weekly shopping basket. One example from further afield when in South Africa last year, a local man confirmed that many people had come to Durban just 'to trevor' the nightlife!
I appreciate that this is just the first stage in the approval process and I can assure you that, like any serious student of the English Language, I would not want to see "trevor" or any other word in the OED without good cause - but I really believe that "trevor" does indeed have a good case.
I therefore propose that this word be placed on the discussion list for the next meeting of the editorial committee, and I look forward to your invitation for further discussion and evidence. I am sure that the weight of evidence will eventually ensure its place in future editions and help maintain the New Oxford's reputation as the most reflecting and progressive dictionary in the World.
Yours sincerely
Julian E C Poulter, BA (Hons), MA. IMC, IPM, MCC