A co-worker just asked me when I was leaving town on vacation, and I replied “tomorrow…oh-dark-hundred”. She had never heard that phrase, and thought it was the funniest thing ever.
Is this an uncommon term? (meaning “early in the morning”, in pseudo-military time)
I’ve heard it. I’ve said it. I was in the Navy, so I’m not typical.
Actually, what I’ve said is oh-dark-thirty.
I’ve never heard it before. But it does have a certain something.
Where’d you pick it up from?
When referencing odd or early hours I always use “Oh-stupid-thirty”.
My sister used to use it. She was never in the military. I like it.
It is not uncommon where I grew up, in PA.
I use it and I’ve never been in the military. I also use “beer-thirty” for drinkin’ time, whenever that may be.
I use it, more often use “Dark-thirty” and “beer-thirty”. Now that you mention it, I might have picked it up from veterans. It’s mostly used when camping, 'cause it makes sense.
“When’s dinner?”
“Oh-dark-hunnert, be back at the tent.”
“Hey, what time’s it?”
“Well, we just finished chopping firewood and the taters are in the fire. Figure that means it’s beer-thirty!”
No one needs a watch.
(Why yes, I do turn southernfied when I go camping.)
“Oh-dark-thirty” has been in use around here for years, but I recall learning the phrase from family in the military.
We use Zero-dark-thirty. I wa an Air Force brat.
I always assumed that “dark” was a euphemism, as I first heard the expression as “oh-f***-hundred.”
Zero-dark-thirty here, too. “Oh” is a letter – not an hour or number – after all!
(ex-husband was a pilot)
another o-dark-30 vote here.
o-dark-30 here.
Never heard the “hundred” part until now.
I’ve heard both stupid o’clock and beer o’clock, but not with the thirty.
Oh-dark-hundred or varients fall in the category of expressions that I think I’ve been exposed to somewhere, probably from a veteran or associate/relative of a veteran. Doubt I’ve ever had reason to use them, but I wouldn’t think they were particularly clever turns of phrase either.
Until someone used “oh-dark-thirty” here a couple of weeks ago, I’d never heard it before. Obviously, I’d never heard this variation either. My grampy was a marine, but you’d have never known if from talking to him.
[shrugs] Army.
O-dark-thirty. Never heard of hundred used. Picked it up from my boss who is former Air Force.
This is the first time I’ve ever heard it.