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Oct 31

Daylight Saving Time is the proper term

Posted on Saturday, October 31, 2009 in Incorrect word usage, Pronunciation, Time

It is incorrect to use savings in the description.

Here is a portion of the history taken from the U. S. Naval Observatory site. It should be very accurate since “[they are] charged with maintaining the DoD reference for Precise Time and Time Interval.” … Although standard time in time zones was instituted in the U.S. and Canada by the railroads in 1883, it was not established in U.S. law until the Act of March 19, 1918, sometimes called the Standard Time Act. The act also established daylight saving time, a contentious idea then. … Beginning in 2007, daylight time starts on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.

This is the link if you would like to read the complete history.

Jul 7

Have a good ante meridiem!

Posted on Tuesday, July 7, 2009 in Abbreviations, Period, Time

a.m. is the abbreviation for the Latin phrase ante meridiem which means before noon.

p.m. is the abbreviation for the Latin phrase post meridiem which means after noon.

11:00 p.m. is one hour before midnight
11:59 p.m. is one minute before midnight
12:00 midnight (even if your digital clock shows 12:00 a.m.)
12:01 a.m. is a minute past midnight
1:00 a.m. is an hour past midnight

11:00 a.m. is one hour before noon
11:59 a.m. is one minute before noon
12:00 p.m. noon (even if your digital clock shows 12:00 p.m.)
12:01 p.m. is a minute past noon
1:00 p.m. is an hour past noon

There is no need to say morning, afternoon, evening or night after using a.m. or p.m.
Incorrect: The meeting will be at 11:30 a.m. in the morning.
Correct: The meeting will be at 11:30 a.m.
Correct: The meeting will be at 11:30 in the morning.

Note: When a sentence ends with an abbreviation you do not need another period.