Of Mice and Men

[thema]

In some book titles and chapter titles, this pattern is used:

" Of [Something]"

The most famous example seems to be the book title "Of Mice and Men".

What does "of" mean?

 

[Rover_KE]

concerning/about/on the subject of

 

[thema]

concerning/about/on the subject of

Could I write this:

"Of his future, he said he doesn't have any plans yet."

to mean:


"On the subject of his future, he said he doesn't have any plans yet."

 

[MikeNewYork]

Could I write this:

"Of his future, he said he doesn't have any plans yet."

to mean:


"On the subject of his future, he said he doesn't have any plans yet."

Not really. "For" would be better there.

 

[thema]

Not really. "For" would be better there.

So, this pattern should only be used in book titles or chapter titles?

 

[MikeNewYork]

So, this pattern should only be used in book titles or chapter titles?

I don't know that I would go that far.

 

[thema]

I don't know that I would go that far.

Then "Of his future, he said he doesn't have any plans yet" is good English?

 

[MikeNewYork]

Then "Of his future, he said he doesn't have any plans yet" is good English?

Not for me.

 

[Raymott]

Then "Of his future, he said he doesn't have any plans yet" is good English?

It's not a common construction. It would be better if you just understood it when you see it, rather than trying to use it. You'll never need it.
It's often literary.

"The time has come," the Walrus said,
"To talk of many things;
Of shoes and ships and sealing-wax,
And cabbages and kings."

THE WALRUS AND THE CARPENTER​