During the holidays, everything aims to be cheerful and bright. Some tasks, however, remain onerous. They are burdens that must be accomplished to reach the joy of “decking the halls.”
Seating arrangements seem like a good example. You can seat your mother-in-law by a certain aunt but not by your mother or odd uncle. Even buying presents can become onerous. Consider, for instance, when you seek to buy a gift for that impossible-to-buy-for person. The holiday season becomes dreary, a landscape more suited to Ebenezer Scrooge than to you.
Fortunately, the letter “o” begins some words less bleak than onerous. They might not align with the festive season precisely, but they are fun. If nothing else, they offer a break from the holiday hustle and bustle.
Oath
Noun. [From the Middle English ooth. From the Old English āth. Akin to the Old High German eīd, oath.] (before the 1100s) A solemn, usually formal, calling upon God or a god to witness to the truth of what one says or to witness that one sincerely intends to hat one says; a solemn attestation of the truth or inviolability of one’s words. Something (as a promise) corroborated by an oath. A form of expression used in taking an oath. An irreverent or careless use of a sacred name; broadly: SWEARWORD.
(With Honor’s death, the Knight Radiants’ oaths were called into question. (See: Brandon Sanderson’s The Stormlight Archive.))
Obloquy
Noun. [From the Late Latin obloquium. From obloqui, to speak against. From ob-, against + loqui, to speak.] (1400s) A strongly condemnatory utterance: abusive language. The condition of one that is discredited: bad repute. Synonym: see ABUSE.
(People applauded the man’s obloquy against the new tax plan.)
Obtuse
Adjective. [From the Latin obtusus, blunt, dull. From the past participle of obtundere, to beat against, blunt. From ob-, against + tundere, to beat—more at OB-, STINT.] (1400s) Lacking sharpness or quickness of sensibility or intellect: INSENSITIVE, STUPID. Difficult to comprehend: not clear or precise in thought or expression <~ language>. Of an angle: exceeding ninety degrees but less than 180 degrees; having an obtuse angle—see TRIANGLE illustration. Not pointed or acute: BLUNT. Of a leaf: rounded at the free end. Synonym: see DULL.
(Mark’s obtuseness irritated his wife; she spent much of her time placating guests he had inadvertently offended.)
Ocarina
Noun. [From the Italian. Diminutive of oca. From the Late Latin auca. Derivative of the Latin avis, bird—more at AVIARY.] (c. 1876) A simple wind instrument typically having an oval body with finer holes and a projecting mouthpiece.
(During her studies at Julliard, Margaret was introduced to the ocarina.)
Odium
Noun. [From the Latin, hatred. From odisse, to hate. Akin to Old English atol, terrible. From the Greek odyssasthai, to be angry.] (1654) The state or fact of being subjected to hatred and contempt as the result of a despicable act or blameworthy situation. Hatred and condemnation accompanied by loathing or contempt: DETESTATION. Disrepute or infamy attached to something: OPPROBRIUM.
(Considering the state of the government, you can’t blame the American people for their odium.)
Off-the-Wall
Adjective. (c. 1971) Highly unusual: BIZARRE <an ~ sense of humor>.
(Every year, Aunt Nancy gets a bit more off-the-wall with her Santa Claus costume.)
Old Christmas
Noun. [Chiefly Midland.] (1863) EPIPHANY.
(Whenever my grandfather talks about Old Christmas, he has to explain about the wise men’s journey to see Jesus.)
Olive Branch
Noun. (1300s) A branch of the olive tree, especially when used as a symbol of peace. An offer or gesture of conciliation or goodwill.
(Olive branches appear a few times in the Bible. Noah receives one after the flood, and the angels herald Jesus as one, telling the shepherds they bring news of peace and goodwill.)
Ominous
Adjective. (1587) Being or exhibiting an omen: PORTENTIOUS. Especially: foreboding or foreshowing evil: INAUSPICIOUS.
(Gretchen said the sky, with its green-tinted clouds and flashes of lightning, was an ominous sign.)
Oompah
Noun. [Imitation.] (1877) A repeated rhythmic bass accompaniment, especially in a band.
(Big band Christmas songs always have an oompah to them that make you want to get up and dance.)
Oops
Interjection. (1933) Used typically to express mild apology, surprise, or dismay.
(When Nate peeked at the Christmas presents for a second year in a year, it was an occasion for consequences rather than one for “oops.”)
Open Sesame
Noun. [From open sesame, the magical command used by Ali Bab to open the door of the robbers’ den in Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.] (1793) Something that unfailingly brings about a desired end.
(The boy’s belief in magic remained strong, despite how many times the phrase “open sesame” failed to open doors or produce rabbits out of hats.)
Ornament
Noun. [From the Middle English. From the Old French ornament. From the Latin ornamentum. From ornare.] (1200s) Archaic: a useful accessory. Something that lends grace or beauty; a manner or quality that adorns. One whose virtues or graces add luster to his place or society. The act of adorning or being adorned. An embellishing note not belonging to the essential harmony or melody—called also embellishment, fioritura.
Verb transitive. (1720) To provide with ornament: EMBELLISH.
(Christmas ornaments are meant to accentuate a tree’s natural grace and beauty.)
Oscillate
Verb intransitive. [From the Latin oscillates. From the past participle of oscillare, to swing. From oscillum, swing.] (1726) To swing backward and forward like a pendulum. To move or travel back and forth between two points. To vary between opposing beliefs, feelings, or theories. To vary above and below a mean value.
(His affection for her oscillated so often that she was never sure he liked her.)
Oubliette
Noun. [From the French. From the Middle French. From oublier, to forget. From the Latin oblitus. Past participle of oblivisci—more at OBLIVION.] (1819) A dungeon with an opening only at the top.
(A sentence to the oubliette might as well be called what it is: a slow execution.)
Ovation
Noun. [From the Latin ovation-, ovatio. From ovatus. Past participle of ovare, to exult. Akin to Greek euoi, interjection used in bacchic revels.] (1533) A ceremony attending the entering of Rome by a general who had won a victory of less importance that that for which a triumph was granted. An expression or demonstration of poplar acclaim, especially by enthusiastic applause <received a standing ~>.
(The choir’s rendition of “Messiah” produced an ovation lasting ten minutes.)
What are your favorite “o” words? Share them in the comments.
Image: Doug Belshaw (Creative Commons)