Is there a website or book that tells you what year a word was first introduced to the English language?

Question

For example, words like sneakers, computers, and software did not always exist. We also know that today we do not speak the same English that the original colonists spoke!!! Somewhere in time many new words were introduced to become the language we know today.

Answer 1

Of course, the OED is ujnbeatable, but fort a quick look often the Online Etymological Dictionary is also quite good:
http://www.etymonline.com/index.php

Answer 2

The Oxford English Dictionary, known throughout the world as the OED, gives the first recorded use in writing of every word. Words can be around in speech long before they are written down. It is this that has led to Shakespeare being said to have created so many words. He didn't, he used words that were in reasonably common usage but his work is the first place they have been recorded in writing. There wasn't much else around at the time.

You can get the OED in book form, the cheapest is the two volume edition which comes with a magnifying glass so you can read it. You can get it on CD-ROM or you can subscribe to the online edition which means you get the most up-to-date version.

The OED is a magnificent work of scholarship that takes time and effort to compile. Don't expect to get it free.

Answer 3

The Oxford English Dictionary. There is an OED website but I think you need to subscribe and pay to use it. Your library might have access. Most universities do too.