Oof. A slang term for “money”; derived from the legendary “Oof Bird,” which from the Latin, ovum, an egg, traces its origin to the goose with the golden eggs.
Olive Branches. A man’s children are so designated from the Biblical simile in Psalm cxxviii. 3: “Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table.”
Olla Podrida. A Spanish term for a mixture of meat and vegetables collected in a common pot for cooking as required. In a literary sense it signifies a miscellany of short productions. The French equivalent for the term is pot-pourri, which is also employed figuratively.
Omnibus. The dative Latin plural of omnes, all. In a public vehicle of this kind there is room for many, without class distinction.
One-horse. A term used adjectively for anything mean or insignificant. This figure of speech is derived from agriculture.
Oneida. Indian for “people of the beacon stone.”
Ontario. From the Indian Onontae, which expresses “the village on the mountain,” whence the tribe of the Onondagas derive their name.
On this Side of Jordan. An Americanism for “in this life” or “in this world.”
Opal. From the Sanskrit opula, through the Latin opalus, a precious stone.
Oporto. Portuguese for “the harbour.”