Thirteenth stroke of the clock

Posted by RRC on April 09, 2008 at 16:55:

In Reply to: Thirteenth stroke of the clock posted by Mahesh K Barot on April 09, 2008 at 09:04:

: Dear Forum Members,
: It is requested to kindly furnish the exact meaning of phrase/saying/ideom - "Thirteenth stroke of the clock".

I think to give an exact meaning would require some context. "Stroke of the clock" refers to the bell/chime being struck on the hour, i.e. a clock rings a bell once for each hour of the time. One ring = 1 o'clock, two rings = 2 o'clock, etc. Traditional clocks only mark 12 hours (after 12 rings, the next hour would have one ring), so the thirteenth stroke of the clock is when the clock announces an impossible time.