Quote:
Originally Posted by SeaBookGuy
In British books, the time is always given as something along the lines of "twenty-five minutes to six", which causes me to have to imagine a clock face at 6:00 and then push the minute hand back to the 7 mark. I would automatically say "five thirty five" instead. Even "half past six" sounds a bit archaic to me. Other than citing timetable/schedule entries, do our British friends say "five thirty five" in conversation? Or does that sound ... I dunno ... wonky there? Is this a generational thing (although I'm an old goat myself)?
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It's a matter of where you were brought up. Dates are another example of confusion. We m(the English) say 25th may 2010, which is a natural progression - day - month year.
Over the other side of the pond they say May 25th 2011 which is an odd mixture - month - day year.
Over here we say "he lit a cigarette". Over there it's "he lighted a cigarette"
Over here we say "my house has been burgled", Over there "my house has been burglerised" (not sure of spelling)
Neither is right or wrong, as they say we are two great nations divided by a "common" language.
To end on a humorous note there is the old story where Nixon is supposed to have told the Russian president "If you spoke English then half of the world's problems would be solved" The Russian replied "and if you spoke proper English then this would solve the other half"
Let's keep the wonderful variety of all forms of the English language.