Viewers are being asked to turn detective for 'The Wordhunt Project' and help solve a few language origin mysteries -- focusing in particular on 50 words.
The OED is looking to find the earliest verifiable use of the words on the list, which include "codswallop", "minger" and "phwoar".
Roly Keating, controller of BBC Two, said the project was a fantastic opportunity for viewers to contribute to a historic project.
"Any valid evidence will not only rewrite the Oxford English Dictionary but will feed into a major series for BBC Two on the origin of words. The OED and this series promise a fascinating and unique insight into British history."
As well as words already in existence, the OED is after new words that are not yet in the book, but viewers think should be. It also wants to discover when all words -- currently totalling 600,000 -- and each of their different meanings were first used. Origins must be verifiable by date.
John Simpson, chief editor of the OED at Oxford University Press, called for the public to take part in the initiative.
"In 1879, Sir James Murray, the Oxford English Dictionary's original editor, appealed to 'the English-speaking and English-reading public' for volunteers to hunt for evidence of words to be added to the dictionary.
"Thousands of people responded, helping to make the OED 'the people's dictionary'. Nowadays, the OED is a huge research project, with evidence coming in constantly from around the world, but we still need that vital help from the public," he said.
The programmes are planned for transmission next year.
People wishing to take part should visit .
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