How did we come to say "o'clock" when we refer to time?

Question

Is it as simple as saying "it is twelve.... oh clock." such as "oh Danny boy" or "Oh! my side."? well I guess thats not a good example. But yeah, just curious.

Answer 1

It is a contraction of the phrase "of the clock" meaning that it is the mechanically recorded hour, not the hour as determined by the sun -- sun time varies considerably from clock time throughout most of the year. Of course, in the old days, people had no watches, and even clocks were few and far between, so that sun time was used in a near universal way. Clock time needed to be specified.

And antique custom that has lingered on, almost unaltered, for centuries.

Answer 2

It's a shortened version of "of the clock". Meaning the time reflected on the clock, O'clock. It's something that's taught in elementary school. Were you sleeping that day?

Answer 3

Judging by the previous answers it must mean "of the clock." But if that is truly the case why don't we say " its twelve thirty o'clock"? Hmm.....

Answer 4

Simple - it means 12 "of" the clock. To shorten it, it came to be "o'clock".

Answer 5

its shape is round like an O, for a clock that is round

Answer 6

o'clock=of the clock, it has been shortened.
Like are not, is to aren't.
is not, is to isn't.
A contraction.
O resembles the shape of the clock.

Answer 7

short for ”of the clock”

Answer 8

we got lazy and shortened it