Comments on: Why do poets say “O”?

By: Dave Bonta

Dave Bonta — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 00:15:46 +0000

Sounds good. Thanks for clarifying that. But I still feel that clinging to “O” instead of just writing “oh” is archaic and seems a little precious.

By: edward

edward — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 23:20:31 +0000

forgot to add: ‘O’ is a quite common form of poetic apostrophe, but even if you don’t use it and just say, “you,” it’s still apostrophe because you’re addressing the person or thing as if they are there and can reply. Example: “Squiggly line in my eye fluid . . . I see you lurking there on the periphery of my vision.” Stewie Griffin uses both ‘O’ and “you” in his poem thus: “O squiggly line in my eye fluid . . . I see you lurking there etc.”

Funny example (from Family Guy) but a good one, no less, to illustrate the device.

By: edward

edward — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 22:35:12 +0000

actually, everyone has it partially correct – i’m surprised this isn’t taught in basic english grammar anymore – but i digress.

the use of ‘o’ is a recognized poetic and literary device (always capitalizd) and called “apostrophe.” the device is used to address a person or a thing as if there (whether it’s yours or not, such as kimberly grey’s body). so, using, “O Body!” could refer to your body (in my case, lamenting it) or someone else’s (in that case, usually extolling it – haha that’s just me). but the thing to remember is you use “O” to address something or person as if it is there with you as you wax poetic.

…and not to be confused with an actual ‘ apostrophe, which is punctuation.

By: Rachel Dacus

Rachel Dacus — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:55:16 +0000

Since 2000, everything I know I have learned from the Internet. Well, almost. And with the advent of Kindles, it may soon be everything. Great, isn’t it, the sharing of information and ideas that has proliferated?

By: Dave

Dave — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 18:36:45 +0000

Yes. This post is a good example of learning by blogging; my failure to invoke the vocative in spelling out the difference between the two was obviously a real oversight.

By: Rachel Dacus

Rachel Dacus — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 17:55:08 +0000

“O” has been traditionally used for an invocation, quite different connotation than an exclamatory “oh.” Of course, if you use “O” in a poem, you better earn it! It does have a whiff of mildew.

By: Irene Newbury

Irene Newbury — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 13:32:09 +0000

Oh,I am so tired of these esoteric topics.

By: Sherry Chandler » Blog Archive » Items

Sherry Chandler » Blog Archive » Items — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 19:46:18 +0000

[...] Why Do Poets Say “O”? Dave Bonta wants to know. [...]

By: Dave

Dave — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:07:24 +0000

Yes. One can’t read it without imagining how Jon Stewart would say it.

Of course, I would maintain that the more lightly we take our countries, the better, but that’s maybe a discussion for another time.

By: Hugh

Hugh — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 01:00:58 +0000

“Oh Canada” would make the country sound like a scamp.