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Languages and Linguistics

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littlemissmartypants

(26,375 posts)
Thu Nov 14, 2024, 06:43 AM Nov 14

The First Use of OMG... [View all]

The First Use of OMG Was in a 1917 Letter to Winston Churchill

This jewel of a letter reveals the first usage of the now-ubiquitous OMG

Rachel Nuwer
November 27, 2012

Photo: Prints and Photographs Division, Library of Congress

Anorak uncovered this little jewel, the first example of the now-ubiquitous OMG!

It’s 1917 and Winston Churchill receives a letter from Lord Fisher. It contains the earliest example of OMG (Oh My God). Did the toffs invent text speak? WTF! (Winston Talks French!)


Fisher was an admiral and naval innovator, who began World War I as First Sea Lord but resigned in 1915. By 1917, his naval career was over. Here’s the letter:



Photo: Letters of Note

Snip. Source:
https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-first-use-of-omg-was-in-a-1917-letter-to-winston-churchill-145636383/?origin=serp_auto



I have a feeling we're going to be using it (along with a palm to the head) much more frequently for the next four years.

❤️pants
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The First Use of OMG... [View all] littlemissmartypants Nov 14 OP
About the face palm thing, got it figured out... MiHale Nov 14 #1
Good plan. n/t lastlib Nov 14 #5
Well, why not? Jane Austen talked about throwing shade. LisaM Nov 14 #2
OMG, LMSP! True Dough Nov 14 #3
IYKYK! Oopsie Daisy Nov 14 #4
I❤️U! littlemissmartypants Nov 14 #7
Interesting but also weird capitalization drray23 Nov 14 #6
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