Why do you say the letter "O" when you mean the digit "0"? - eviltoast

Examples:

  • One oh two Main Street
  • Four oh seven PM
  • Biology one oh one
  • Eight six seven, five three oh nine
  • Four oh four: Not found

Not just a US thing, so I hope this is okay to ask here. I have just never encountered this is any language other than English. Is it simply that O and 0 look similar, and that “oh” has fewer syllables than “zero”? I have not heard a good explanation from coworkers who I’ve asked.

  • Blaze (he/him)@feddit.org
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    9 days ago

    Is James Bond Zero-zero-seven or oh-oh-seven?

    Genuinely asking, it’s been a while I watched a James Bond movie

    • SatyrSack@feddit.orgOP
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      9 days ago

      Another great example! It’s pronounced “double oh seven” in the original English films, but I believe foreign dubs pronounce it correctly as “cero doble siete” or equivalent.