WOE is an acronym, abbreviation or slang word that is used to express various feelings depending on the circumstance. It is used most frequently when expressing surprise, such as “Woe!” WOE means “What On Earth” i.e., What are you doing there my friend? Or, it can express great sorrow or distress. Have you never had a tale of WOE to express? A tale of misery, sorrow, distress, wretchedness, sadness, unhappiness, heartache, heartbreak, despondency, despair, depression, regret, gloom, melancholy. The word has also been used in association with a friend, for example “…say woe wazup for 2night? “
I have most frequently heard the term used in stories where the main character is in some kind of trouble or is surprised and makes the comment, “Woe is me.” That reminded me of the story of the Irishman during the country’s religious war. He was walking down a street in Dublin minding his own business when a man approached from behind him and stuck a knife to his throat. “Be you protestant or catholic?” the assailant asked. The guy thought, “Woe is me! If I say I’m catholic and he’s a protestant, I’m a dead man. If I say I’m a protestant and he’s a catholic, I’m a dead man.” After a little thought, the guy says, “I’m JEWISH!” “Aha,” says the assailant, “I have to be the luckiest Arab in Ireland!”
However, putting all that aside, I believe the term has a legitimate place in our vocabulary. I will use the words, “What on earth!” (not Woe), frequently, when I am somewhat surprised to see something or to find something new and different. I could save my breath by saying, “WOE!” However, Even from my youth when I came upon something new and different you would very likely have heard the words, “What on earth!” come out of my mouth.
Since mother earth is full of surprises and at the same time it is populated by all kinds of people, of all different levels of maturity and experience. It is very likely that a person could experience something new and different almost every day. Most especially a youth and more likely a world traveller. We have taken the National Geographic for most of our adult lives, and nearly every month there will be an article about a new and exotic place or creature from land or sea. If you were near me while I opened the new magazine each month and began reading you could possibly hear me say, “What on earth?” The reason I have used that term is because my mother used it quite often while I was growing up.
The more common and worldly phrase that can be heard every day in some circles of people is “What the Hell!” or some other adjective commonly used by the more worldly. Since we are being surprised by something we have seen on earth I believe the best, most accurate, most appropriate term for gentleman and gentle ladies would be; “What on earth.” Whether as a statement or a question and some will merely say, “WOE”!