NOOKS AND CRANNIES



Why do we say "four o'clock"? What does the "o" mean? Patty Bowen, Roseville, USA The "o" is a contraction or abbreviation of "four of the clock". Hannah Gill, Thetford, Norfolk "O" 'clock is an abbreviation of "of the" clock. Louise, London, England In times past clocks were relatively rare. Most people told time by some reference to the position of the sun or moon. The times provided by these two bodies do not always concur with those provided by a clock. Hence there was a need to differentiate between the time provided "of the clock" (o'clock) and the time used by the vast majority of people in a given locality. Benedict Giovine, Liverpool, UK The Irish invented the phrase where it is customary to use "O' " as shorthand for "of the". Twas me great uncle Mossie who came up with it ;) Dennis O'Donnell, Moyane, Kerry Ireland Cuz Jesus made it that way... Mike Hunt, Compton, California U.S.



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