Unveiling the mystery behind what 'o' in 'o'clock' really means
What's the story
The ubiquitous phrase "o'clock," used daily by millions to express time, has recently sparked an online debate about the meaning of its "o."
A question posed on the social media platform Threads, "What's the meaning of 'o' in o'clock?" drew varied responses.
Users speculated that it might stand for "zero," "Omega," or even "oida," a Viennese term for an old person.
However, the true origin is more historically rooted.
Time's tale
The historical roots of 'o' in 'o'clock'
The "o" in "o'clock" is a contraction of the phrase "of the clock."
Historically, when clocks were a novel invention, people would specify time by saying it was "three of the clock," distinguishing it from other time-telling methods like sundials.
Over time, this phrase was shortened to "three o'clock," with the "of the" becoming simply "o."
Linguistic validation
Britannica Dictionary confirms 'o'clock' origin
The explanation of the "o" in "o'clock" aligns with authoritative sources like the Britannica Dictionary.
It notes that the apostrophe in "o'clock" signifies a contraction of "of the clock."
This linguistic validation reinforces the historical roots of the phrase, which originated as a way to specify time according to the clock and has become a standard expression in everyday language.
Beyond 'O'clock'
The hidden meaning in other common phrases
Interestingly, "o'clock" is not the only phrase where the "o" has a hidden meaning. The term "OK" or "okay" also has a peculiar origin.
According to Merriam-Webster, in the 1820s and 1830s, humorists often deliberately misspelled words to adopt a rustic, uneducated persona.
As such, "all correct" became "oll korrect," abbreviated as "OK," a phrase that continues to endure in the English language today.
Other theories
Other speculations behind the origin of 'OK'
According to the Economist, various theories have emerged about the origins and original meaning of the word "OK."
Germans speculated it was an abbreviation for "Oberst Kommandant," a high military rank.
The French suggested it derived from the pronunciation of "Aux Cayes," a port town in Haiti.
Others proposed that "OK" stood for "open key," a term linked to the telegraph.