The Concise Oxford English Dictionary, today a world-famous bestseller, has always been a ground-breaking dictionary. In its first edition, The Concise Oxford Dictionary was adapted by Henry Watson Fowler and Francis George Fowler from The Oxford Dictionary (now known as he Oxford English Dictionary). It was revolutionary at English today.glish usage and common words and excluding obsolete words. It was the dictionary for speakers and writers in the early 20th century, rival to none. From the beautiful art deco detailing to the faithfully reproduced pages, this edition of The Concise Oxford Dictionary authentically replicates the original 1911 publication. Includes an introduction with an essay from today's foremost commentator on language, David Crystal, setting the book in the political and social context of its time.