this post was submitted on 06 Mar 2024
431 points (95.8% liked)

Showerthoughts

30006 readers
485 users here now

A "Showerthought" is a simple term used to describe the thoughts that pop into your head while you're doing everyday things like taking a shower, driving, or just daydreaming. A showerthought should offer a unique perspective on an ordinary part of life.

Rules

  1. All posts must be showerthoughts
  2. The entire showerthought must be in the title
  3. Avoid politics
    • 3.1) NEW RULE as of 5 Nov 2024, trying it out
    • 3.2) Political posts often end up being circle jerks (not offering unique perspective) or enflaming (too much work for mods).
    • 3.3) Try c/politicaldiscussion, volunteer as a mod here, or start your own community.
  4. Posts must be original/unique
  5. Adhere to Lemmy's Code of Conduct

founded 2 years ago
MODERATORS
quinten
vatlark
forkball
Thekingoflorda
431
I hear phrases like "half-past", "quarter til", and "quarter after" way less often since digital clocks have became more commonplace. (midwest.social)
submitted 9 months ago by [email protected] to c/showerthoughts
169 comments fedilink hide all child comments
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
[–] PoopingCough 6 points 9 months ago (2 children)

Even worse than that imo is 'quarter of'. I swear to god it's been used to mean both before or after whatever hour they're talking about

[–] [email protected] 5 points 9 months ago

mfrs think I know what hours its close to when I probably don't know the day and am lucky to know what month it is.

[–] Feathercrown 3 points 9 months ago (1 children)

Anyone using "quarter of" to mean X:15 is just incorrect. That's "quarter after".

[–] John_McMurray -2 points 9 months ago (3 children)

When you say quarter of, you are supposed to say the next hour. Quarter after 4 is a quarter of 5.

[–] Feathercrown 2 points 9 months ago

That's... I guess that makes sense but that's really weird and ambiguous.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

Quarter after four is 4:15.

Quarter of five is 4:45. Also quarter to five and quarter til five.

I'm seeing other comments that suggest I might be wrong. Especially in regards to other languages.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 9 months ago

I would not have guessed that meaning of "of." I think we should stick to "til" or "past" for clarity.