The Designation of Hours

Abstract

A PROPOS the alteration of official time, now imminent: would it not be a good plan to suggest a modification of time nomenclature? As follows: Midday is 12 noon; well and good. Half an hour later is 12.30 p.m., and we have the confusing spectacle of 11.30 p.m. arriving eleven hours afterwards! I suggest, as long as the 24-hour system is followed, that each 12-hour cycle be definitely marked off. Thus half-past 12 (day-time) would be 0.30 p.m., to be followed, quite logically, by 1 p.m., 1.30 p.m., etc., up to 12 p.m. Half-past 12 at night would be 0.30 a.m. Comparison could then be made with the 24-hour system, unless indeed the powers that be are foolish enough to label the first half-hour of each new day 24.30 a.m.—to be followed by 1 a.m.