Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction catalogs meanings and history of sci-fi terms, from Asimov to Star Trek and beyond

Science fiction has a long history; the Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction aims to chronicle it

JANUARY 28, 2021 - Did you know that the “hypospray” is actually a real medical device, trademarked in 1948? If you thought things like “warp drive” and the “transporter” were original inventions of the Star Trek universe, think again. Both terms actually date back to science fiction magazines of the 1940s. The New York Times this week brought us the news of the Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction, a new online resource that could change the way fans look at the evolution of the genre.

For those who aren’t familiar, historical dictionaries not only define a specific term, but provide earliest known uses for historical context.

The Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction is edited by its creator, Jesse Sheidlower. Sheidlower is an author and former editor-at-large of the Oxford English Dictionary (or, OED). In 2001, he led a crowdsourcing effort called the Science Fiction Citations Project. According to The New York Times, the aim of the project was to expand the OED’s foundation of the genre drawing on the knowledge of science fiction enthusiasts. The project eventually led to the 2007 printing of the historical dictionary Brave New Words.

In 2020 Sheidlower got permission from the OED to resume work on the historical dictionary. He coded the website himself, which went live late last year. Sheidlower’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed. OED executive editor Peter Gilliver said the new historical dictionary is “quite impressive, and very stylishly presented”.

Visitors to the site won’t find just familiar terms from Star Trek, but across the history of science fiction. The Historical Dictionary of Science Fiction is a work in progress and still expanding, with more than 1,800 entries at this time. To check out this extensive resource for yourself, visit sfdictionary.com.