11:59 a.m. is just before noon. But noon is 12 p.m.
11:59 p.m. is just before midnight. But midnight is 12 a.m.
On a number line, the first whole number is 1. Not 12.
Am I crazy or should we have just said noon is 12 a.m. and midnight is 12 p.m.?
Who came up with that?
If I created time, we would just start the am/pm switch with 1 o'clock.
I totally remember struggling with this concept when I was a kid, and I guess I just gave up on the search for understanding. Can someone help me? Can you explain any rationale for the am/pm debacle?
If you didn't enjoy this post I hope you at least enjoyed the terribly corny title.
Wow. I've never given it that much thought.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you. Anytime I have to deal with the whole 12 AM or 12 PM thing I still have to stop and think, "What's most logical?", and then do the opposite!
ReplyDeleteRex I know how solve your problem with just two words, military time.
ReplyDelete