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.
c. 1200, from Old English conjunction oþþe "either, or," related to Old Frisian ieftha, Middle Dutch ofte, Old Norse eða, Old High German odar, German oder, Gothic aiþþau "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 oþþr, 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 oþþe (see nor).
双语例句
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，你有多少岁，总有新东西要学习，毕竟，生活总是充满惊喜。
来自金山词霸 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
请记住，幸福不在于你是谁或者你拥有什么，而仅仅取决于你的心态！
来自金山词霸 每日一句
3. If your skin becomes red, sore or very scaly, consult your doctor.
如果皮肤发红、瘙痒或脱皮，要向医生咨询。
来自柯林斯例句
4. There is nothing sinister or conspiratorial about the export licensing system.
