or: [12] The Old English word for ‘or’ was oththe. This appears to have been altered in the early Middle English period to other, probably due to the influence of similar words denoting ‘choice between alternatives’ and ending in -er (notably either and whether). Other was soon contracted to or, but it did not finally die out until the 15th century.
or (conj.)
c. 1200, from Old English conjunction otte "either, or," related to Old Frisian ieftha, Middle Dutch ofte, Old Norse eea, Old High German odar, German oder, Gothic aittau "or." This was extended in early Middle English (and Old High German) with an -r ending, perhaps by analogy with "choice between alternative" words that ended thus (such as either, whether), then reduced to ottr, at first in unstressed situations (commonly thus in Northern and Midlands English by 1300), and finally reduced to or, though other survived in this sense until 16c.
The contraction took place in the second term of an alternative, such as either ... or, a common construction in Old English, where both words originally were otte (see nor).
雙語例句
1. No matter where you go in life or how old you get, there's always something new to learn about. After all, life is full of surprises.
不管你生活在哪里，你有多少歲，總有新東西要學習，畢竟，生活總是充滿驚喜。
來自金山詞霸 每日一句
2. Remember, happiness doesn't depend upon who you are or what you have; it depends solely upon what you think.--Dale Carnegie
請記住，幸福不在于你是誰或者你擁有什么，而僅僅取決于你的心態！
來自金山詞霸 每日一句
3. If your skin becomes red, sore or very scaly, consult your doctor.
如果皮膚發紅、瘙癢或脫皮，要向醫生咨詢。
來自柯林斯例句
4. There is nothing sinister or conspiratorial about the export licensing system.