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Definition

Some unspecified hour in the early morning (implying an unpleasant time to be awake).

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Origins

From U.S. military terminology, in which hours before 10:00 am are prefixed with a zero, read as "oh", as in 0530, oh five-thirty, for 5:30 am.

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In Context

  • "I had to get up at oh dark thirty to catch a plane."
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Also Said As

  • crack of dawn
  • dark o’clock
  • stupid o'clock
  • wee small hours
  • see also Thesaurus:early morning
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See Also