vor Ort

German

Etymology

A fixed expression, originally from Bergmannssprache (“mining terminology”), literally, “in front of the end of the shaft”, or more loosely translated as “at the quarry site”; see Ort (mining) n. In folk etymology, commonly reanalyzed as being composed of Ort m (“place”).

Pronunciation

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Adverb

vor Ort

1. (mining) on site; at the excavation site

   Synonym: unter Tage

2. (by extension, slightly informal) on site, locally