Telling time in U. K. English

[SeaBookGuy]

Originally Posted by wodin

So why is this thread not in the lounge? Twenty one pages of most interesting discussion, none of which has a thing to do with "General discussions about e-book reading not specific to a device, software or format."

Hmmmm??

As the thread starter, I thought it relevant in terms of helping folks to understand references in books from other Anglophone nations.

[Phogg]

Originally Posted by SeaBookGuy

As the thread starter, I thought it relevant in terms of helping folks to understand references in books from other Anglophone nations.

As opposed to understanding actual people, which may be a lost cause. I have a good friend in Aukland with whom I chat a lot - often all night. We exchange gifts on holidays. Her Kiwi is so thick I can never understand it on the phone or skype.

[Bookworm_Girl]

Originally Posted by SeaBookGuy

I've just returned from Safeway, which had a black and green blend of Earl Grey from Stash brand, but no green E G itself.

Success! I found Earl Grey green tea at Albertsons. It was the Bigelow brand. You might want to try there. It's interesting how different their selection is from Safeway's. They had all kinds of green tea: jasmine, lemon, blueberry, pomegranate, constant comment, chai. I don't like the fruity teas hot. They are better iced. I am looking forward to trying the EG green tomorrow.

[unboggling]

This thread might be useful to writers as well as readers.

[unboggling]

I grew up with "quarter til" or "quarter to." But I still think in 24 hour clock and have to translate from that when someone asks the time. How I respond depends on context.

[SeaBookGuy]

24-hour time wasn't in great civilian use in the States when I went to Europe for the first time, where it was more common. I asked my host whether people said things like "Seventeen Forty Five" aloud to each other, and he replied, No, that's military. They'd say five forty five (as the time the next train leaves, etc.)."

I wanted to clarify that in the States it'd be common to be told "five forty five" when asked the time. However, it'd be at least as common to hear it the "traditional" way in reference to an event: "It was around quarter of six by the time most of us left." In that sense, quarter of, quarter after, and half past are common enough. "Twenty-five of six" would seem an ungainly mouthful vs. "five thirty five", but most people round off "five thirty ... a little after ...."

Do they still have "time" (speaking clock) as a telephone service? My folks would've been furious when the bill arrived if I'd ever called it! In books, I've heard of folks calling it and pretending to have a conversation such as "Why Myrtle, you have a temperature of 102! I'll be right over with some extra strength aspirin!" to get rid of an unwanted guest.

[HarryT]

We still have a "speaking clock" telephone service here in the UK, certainly.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by unboggling

And, after I reread my prior post and thought about it, I probably got it wrong too because I wasn't active duty. I can't even define why I got it wrong. I just know something's wrong when I read it. So the old adage about writing about what you know only goes so far. After that it's research work and, again, it seems lots of authors don't bother.

The 24h clock is used world-wide for things like timetables - except in the US. American airports are the only ones in the world that you'll see 12h times given.

[taosaur]

Originally Posted by SeaBookGuy

I wanted to clarify that in the States it'd be common to be told "five forty five" when asked the time. However, it'd be at least as common to hear it the "traditional" way in reference to an event: "It was around quarter of six by the time most of us left." In that sense, quarter of, quarter after, and half past are common enough. "Twenty-five of six" would seem an ungainly mouthful vs. "five thirty five", but most people round off "five thirty ... a little after ...."

I wouldn't say I've never heard "quarter of," but the way I've heard it most commonly in the East and Midwest is "quarter 'til."

[unboggling]

Anyway, the reason I posted earlier was to ask if military usage in UK was similar or different to US.

(Sorry about sidetracking into a long rant.)

[vans]

Originally Posted by unboggling

Anyway, the reason I posted earlier was to ask if military usage in UK was similar or different to US.

(Sorry about sidetracking into a long rant.)

As far as I am aware yes, the military (and Network Rail) use the 24 hour clock.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by unboggling

Anyway, the reason I posted earlier was to ask if military usage in UK was similar or different to US.

(Sorry about sidetracking into a long rant.)

Use of the 24h clock in the UK (and the rest of Europe) is not confined to the military (indeed, if you refer to it as "military time", as I've heard done in the US, nobody will understand what you mean). 24h time is universally used for such things as timetables, and is understood by everybody.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by taosaur

I wouldn't say I've never heard "quarter of," but the way I've heard it most commonly in the East and Midwest is "quarter 'til."

It would never, ever, be "quarter of" in Britain, but always "quarter to".

[vans]

Originally Posted by HarryT

It would never, ever, be "quarter of" in Britain, but always "quarter to".

Yes in the past when I read "quarter of" I didno' know what it meant, but thanks to this thread, now I do.

[SeaBookGuy]

Originally Posted by taosaur

I wouldn't say I've never heard "quarter of," but the way I've heard it most commonly in the East and Midwest is "quarter 'til."

I lived most of my not-so-short life in the east and have never heard anyone say "quarter til" that I can recall. If anything, as an alternative to "quarter of" I'd expect to hear "quarter to" (spoken as "quarter da") instead.