Half past

Posted by Art on July 29, 2004

In Reply to: Half past posted by Bookworm on July 29, 2004

: : : : : Does half six in Britain mean the half goes before or after? (ie is half six 5:30 or 6:30)?

: : : : : Thanks,

: : : : : Jackie

: : : : 6:30.

: : : The term was originally 'half past six'. In Australian anyway, and probably I imagine the UK too, the 'half six' version evolved more among the working classes.

: : But beware - in German, and possibly other laguages - 'half six' means 'half way to six', ie 5.30, and not half way past six.

: So basically, it could go either way. This is just my $.02, but perhaps it would be easier to say 5:30 or 6:30 and eliminate any doubt.

Or we could say 0530, 0630, 1730 and 1830 and eleminate all doubt. But then we have time zone problems so....

• Half past Bruce Kahl 29/July/04
  • Well said Bruce Lotg (OZ) 30/July/04
    • Bruce for clarification Acme 30/July/04