Oxford English Dictionary issued an apology on its website today after selecting "bloodbath" as its Word of the Day so soon after the massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School.

Recipients of the daily vocabulary lesson were shocked to see the word being promoted by the venerable dictionary in such close proximity to the tragic events of last Friday, but Oxford University Press assured readers it was just a coincidence, albeit "of the worst kind."

"The OED word of the day is selected months in advance by an editorial committee, and is distributed automatically each day," the publisher said in its statement. "We apologize for any distress or upset caused by what might seem to be a highly insensitive choice."

Despite the lack of intention, Oxford said it was nonetheless "taking immediate steps to review our scheduling and selection policy."

Meanwhile, the Word of the Day for December 18th is now "surfari," a relatively new word meaning "A hunt for good surfing conditions."

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