Poetry words are my worst subject in crosswordese. I always get them confused. So, it's time for a poetry slam* - OER vs. ERE!
Let's start with OER. OER is actually a contraction (think O'ER) meaning over.
Here's OER used in the lyrics of a song. Bonus points if you can guess the name of the song.
"OER the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming."
ERE means before.
Here it is in a poem by Lord Byron written in 1810
"Maid of Athens, ERE we part,
Give, oh, give back my heart!"
Now on to the slam ERE we forget the reason we're here. I will give you some crossword clues. You tell me if the answer is OER or ERE.
9 down Above, to a poet
(Penny Press Good Times Crossword Puzzles, October 2007, puzzle #1)
23 across Before, to Poe
(Dell Easy Crossword Collection, June 15, 2008)
2 down Prior to, poets
(Dell All Easy Crosswords, July 2008)
86 down Anthem Contraction
(New York Times, April 27, 2008, by Oliver Hill, edited by Will Shortz)
*Poetry slams are really poetry competitions where poets compete against each other at live events. Each poet reads an original poem and is given a score. The poet with the highest score wins.
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