O or 0
ian_charles
Posts: 578 Forum Member
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Why is it that most people when reciting a phone number, instead saying zero 845, say O 845, as in the letter.
0
ian_charles
Posts: 578 ian_charles
Posts: 578 ian_charles
Posts: 578 ian_charles
Posts: 578
Comments
I think it's easier to say like most verbal shortcuts.
Because you know it's going to be the zero as it's a phone number anyway so doesn't really matter?
Just something I noticed, some people say zero.....majority say O
You could also say nought.
Saying "Zero" removes all doubt.
How many of you actually say Niner though?
But they say "O" when describing a zip code (e.g. 9o21o)
But now it annoys me if someone says 'zero' after I have said 'oh', as it feels as if they are pointing out my error. I always want to reply 'I know if's actually zero, thank you. I just decided it was less pretentious to say 'oh'.' But I haven't acted on this yet. Give it time.
My 'very Northern' grandad used to say 'ought.
Our phones used to have "O" and "0" on the same point on the dial. American phones had the letter "O" on 6 (MNO), as ours do now.
No one really cares. Language is just interesting sometimes!
A favourite anomaly in terms of shortcuts is "www" prefixing web pages.
Saying the abbreviation "www" is actually longer than saying "world wide web" ironically, with the abbreviation having 9 syllables and the long version just 3!
I always say O for the first, then correct myself to 0 for the 2nd, to correct myself.
Weird innit.
I always think of phone numbers in blocks of 3. So 077 123 456 78. Obviously the last block is a 2 but that's how I see them in my head.
Like you though if someone reads it back to me in a different configuration it throws me for a few seconds.