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Frequently Asked Questions
about the Glossary
1. Are you offering to sell me anything?
2. Are you advertising or promoting any product or service?
3. If you aren't selling or advertising anything, why are you doing this?
7. Why can't readers just use a dictionary?
8. Then why write this glossary?
10. Where did you get the definitions for this glossary.
12. Is this glossary Conference-approved literature?
13. Isn't this glossary against the Traditions?
14. Should a printed copy be displayed at A.A. ® meetings.
15. This is Version 2006.2. Will there be other versions?
16. Who may use this glossary?
17. Who should not use this glossary?
18. Why is the glossary available as a PDF file?
19. Why not provide the glossary in plain text or html files.
20. Can we scan a printed copy or otherwise convert the PDF file to editable text.
21. Can we print the PDF file.
22. Can I print several copies of this glossary?
23. What's special about June 30, 2008?
24. Can we change the PDF file.
25. Can a person with enough experience defeat the PDF file restrictions.
26. Where is the glossary protected by copyright?
27. Why did you copyright the glossary?
28. In OurBasicText™ what does the little™ mean?
29. Printing long files is a lot of trouble. Can I buy a printed copy from you?
31. How many words and phrases are defined?
32. Can I help with this project?
33. I would like to link to this website. How can I do that?
1. Are you offering to sell me anything?
No.
2. Are you advertising or promoting any product or service?
No. We want to avoid actual or implied affiliation with anyone. We are not associated with any website that has linked to ours. In particular, if you see any promotional message or advertisement for any product or service in connection with our website, it didn't come from us and is against our wishes.
3. If you aren't selling or advertising anything, why are you doing this?
It's one way we can take Step Twelve, and this helps us to stay sober ourselves. Besides, for us, it's a pleasure.
We do.
We want to remain anonymous.
The main author of the glossary wants to remain anonymous. O. B. T. is a pseudonym (pen name) which comes from the phrase "our basic text."
7. Why can't readers just use a dictionary?
We encourage you to use a good dictionary.
8. Then why write this glossary?
This glossary is not a dictionary in the conventional sense of the word. Most words have more definitions than are printed in the glossary. We have tried to consider how the word or phrase is used in a particular sentence. We freely admit that despite our best efforts, undoubtedly, sometimes we have been wrong. That's why we consider this a work in progress. Also, the entries are not in alphabetical order. This is a line-by-line glossary. The entries are arranged in the order that the words and phrases appear in the book, Alcoholics Anonymous ®. We think many people will find this a useful format. (For convenience, there is also an index for the glossary that is arranged in alphabetical order.)
No. The authors are not professional writers and do not claim any special expertise in writing this kind of study aid. Our motto is "We realize we know only a little." (Alcoholics Anonymous ®, page 164, lines 10-11)
10. Where did you get the definitions for this glossary.
The major source of the definitions in this glossary is the 1913 edition of Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary. In nearly every case, however, these definitions were modified to make them more understandable to present-day readers.
11. Since the book Alcoholics Anonymous ®, was first published in 1939, why not use a 1939 dictionary?
Dr. William D. Silkworth, the nonalcoholic author of "The Doctor's Opinion," Bill W., the main author of the text that is now found on pages 1 through 164, and Dr. Bob S., the author of "Doctor Bob's Nightmare," were born in 1873, 1895 and 1879 respectively. This means that they acquired most of their language long before 1939. Also, the 1913 edition is a large public domain dictionary which is readily available online.
12. Is this glossary Conference-approved literature?
No. This glossary is NOT A.A. General Service Conference-approved literature. Conference-approved literature represents the broadest possible consensus on materials that can be used by all alcoholics. In contrast, this glossary was written by only a few people and is intended to be used only by sponsors who have recovered and who are working with their own sponsees. The content of this website, including the glossary and its index, is a private work and is neither endorsed or sponsored by nor is it affiliated, connected, or associated with Alcoholics Anonymous World Service, Inc. in any way.
13. Isn't this glossary against the Traditions?
We sincerely believe that publishing this glossary is consistent with the Twelve Traditions. We have taken great care to respect the copyrights and trademarks that belong to Alcoholics Anonymous World Service, Inc. "Nothing would please us so much as to write a book which would contain no basis for contention or argument." (Alcoholics Anonymous ®, page 19, lines 28-30) The authors of this glossary appreciate the dedicated service of all the members of the A.A. General Service Conference. We would never intentionally do anything that would harm A.A. ®
14. Should a printed copy be displayed at A.A. ® meetings.
No. A.A. General Service Conference Advisory Action makes clear that only Conference-approved literature should be on display at meetings.
15. This is Version 2006.2. Will there be other versions?
If all goes well, we intend to publish a later, corrected version on this website by July 1, 2008. We are depending on you to send us suggestions for corrections and additions.
16. Who may use this glossary.
This glossary is intended to be a study aid for sponsors who have recovered and are trying to help their own sponsees.
17. Who should not use this glossary.
This glossary may not be used by a person who is newly sober without the approval and direct supervision of his or her sponsor. It may not be used by any person who is a minor (or any other person whose status is similar to that of a minor) without the permission of his or her parent or guardian.
18. Why is the glossary available as a PDF file?
We decided to make the glossary available as a PDF (portable document format) file because these files can be used by a very large number of people. The glossary can be read using Adobe® Reader® Version 5.0 or later. You can download a free copy of the latest software at their own website. We have no connection with this company. This is not an advertisement for them. It's just a fact of life that if you want to use PDF files, you've got to use their software.
19. Why not provide the glossary in plain text or html files.
Such files are very easy to change. Garbled versions could easily start to spread. This is a work in progress. We plan to publish a later corrected version on our website. We are open to suggestions for additions and corrections, but we really believe that we should be consulted about any changes. Considering the effort we have put into this glossary, we think that's fair and reasonable.
20. Can we scan a printed copy or otherwise convert the PDF file to editable text.
We ask that you don't do it. This would produce the same problems mentioned in the previous question. Also, it would inevitably lead to errors in converting the PDF file to text.
21. Can we print the PDF file.
Yes, but we ask that whenever you print a copy that you include the first six pages which include important notices.
22. Can I print several copies of this glossary?
Yes, subject to the Terms of Use, you can print up to three copies. However, all copies should be considered outdated after June 30, 2008. They need to be replaced.
23. What's special about June 30, 2008?
This glossary is a work in progress. We want to publish a later, corrected version on our website by July 1, 2008. We don't want old, uncorrected copies to continue to exist and to be reproduced.
24. Can we change the PDF file.
We hope you won't make changes to the glossary without consulting us. The PDF file is restricted to allow printing only.
25. Can a person with enough experience defeat the PDF file restrictions.
Of course, but we believe that the people who will be most interested in this glossary are alcoholics who are trying to practice the Twelve Steps. These people are motivated by their own integrity and the requirements of rigorous honesty. For these people, the simple request that they follow the Terms of Use is likely to be all that's needed. This cooperation will greatly assist our efforts to help other alcoholics, and it is very much appreciated.
26. Where is the glossary protected by copyright?
The glossary is a copyrighted work registered with the United States Copyright Office. By treaty and statute, it is protected almost everywhere in the world. This glossary was registered with the U.S. Copyright Office in 2004, and it can be found under the number TXu-1-177-599 or the title Line by Line Glossary.
27. Why did you copyright the glossary?
If a work is in the public domain, people can change it in any way they like without consulting us. We don't think that would be fair. It also means that anyone can print garbled copies and sell them.
28. In OurBasicText™ what does the little ™ mean?
It is a symbol for trademark. This trademark, "OurBasicText™", will distinguish our Line-by-Line Glossary from any other glossary. This gives us certain legal rights which we retain, but we believe that a simple request, that nobody else use it, is likely to be all that's needed.
29. Printing long files is a lot of trouble. Can I buy a printed copy from you?
No. For now, we have no plans to publish a conventional printed version of this glossary. The cost is simply prohibitive. We have printed only a few copies of earlier versions. We know that some alcoholics who are confined to correctional facilities can receive written materials only if they come directly from a conventional publisher or bookstore. With that fact in mind, there is a possibility that we may be able to print copies of a later version of the glossary someday. At this time, we can't say when this might be done.
30. If you know that there are errors and omissions, why did you publish the glossary on the Internet?
We've done everything we can think of to catch the mistakes. We've been working on this glossary for more than fourteen years. We are probably too close to it to see the mistakes that are still there. Also, even though it's far from perfect, we believe that it's now good enough to be useful.
31. How many words and phrases are defined?
There are about 3100 words and phrases that are defined or cited. There are nearly 5300 entries because several words and phrases appear on more than one page of the Big Book. ® This is a line-by-line glossary. A person can look at the definitions for words and phrases on each page of the Big Book ® independently.
32. Can I help with this project?
Yes. We would like to hear from you. We are particularly interested in any corrections and additions you might have. We are depending on you to send us suggestions. You can contact us.
Each person who suggests a change must clearly understand that the intellectual property rights of any submission are assigned to the principal author of this glossary and its index. This assignment includes all rights in any medium of expression currently in existence or which may be invented in the future. Also, the principal author, whose pseudonym is O. B. T., may make any modifications to the submission which, in his sole judgment, he determines ought to be made.
Why do this? If a work is in the public domain, people can change it in any way they want. It also means that anyone can print garbled copies and sell them. The authors of this glossary and its index are not willing to risk letting any part of it fall into the public domain or risk letting the copyright status become unclear.
33. I would like to link to the page164 website. How can I do that?
Subject to the Terms of Use, you should use the following:
If you live in the U.S.A., where parts of the book, Alcoholics Anonymous, ® are in the public domain, a PDF copy of OurBasicText™ Line-by-Line Glossary can be downloaded, at no charge, at www.page164.org It defines 3100 words and phrases found on 194 pages of this book.