skaife Posted January 14, 2004 Share Posted January 14, 2004 This is soemthing I've always been confused about, but I've started thinking about it more lately. Why does the day start at 12:00? Ok, it comes after 11:59, but it's the new day, so why stay on the previous days counter? It's definitely not the 12th hour of the day, and arent the numbers there to indicate how far through the day we are? Sorry if this makes no sense it's kind of hard to explain... Like, why is 12:00 standard and 0:00 is not? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remote Posted January 14, 2004 Share Posted January 14, 2004 This is soemthing I've always been confused about, but I've started thinking about it more lately.Why does the day start at 12:00? Ok, it comes after 11:59, but it's the new day, so why stay on the previous days counter? It's definitely not the 12th hour of the day, and arent the numbers there to indicate how far through the day we are? Sorry if this makes no sense it's kind of hard to explain... Like, why is 12:00 standard and 0:00 is not? Military time is 0:00 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Borbus Posted January 14, 2004 Share Posted January 14, 2004 in the military they use the 24 hour clock system which is a much better way of expressing the time since there are only four numbers to say and no am/pm suffix. 0000 is midnight so that is like saying no time has yet passed in this day 2359 is the latest time in the day and then it goes back to 0000 on the next day I personnaly always use the 24 hour system because its much simpler Some people dont understand an expression like 0312 for example so I have to say "Just gone three in the morning" Sorry I went on a bit, I hope that answers your question Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blaise Veteran Posted January 14, 2004 Veteran Share Posted January 14, 2004 Military time is 0:00 actually I never heard 0:00 in the army, we would say 24:00 and start a day at 0:01hrs really we would just say "midnight" :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
**marisa** Posted January 14, 2004 Share Posted January 14, 2004 its all about the 24 hour clock... so much more useful! also what sounds cooler? "11 o'clock p.m." or "twenty three hundred hours :cool: "??? :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skaife Posted January 14, 2004 Author Share Posted January 14, 2004 I know there are 'methods' if you like, that use 0 as the first hour (i have 0:00 on my clock instead of 12:00) but i was just interested in why 12:00 was allowed there in the first place :b the confusion and chaos it must have caused... [edit] actually, now that I think about it... sundials? ahhh it makes sense now :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mariusu Posted January 14, 2004 Share Posted January 14, 2004 in the military they use the "zulu" time...mwahahahahaaaaaaaaaa :devil: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joel Posted January 14, 2004 Share Posted January 14, 2004 actually I never heard 0:00 in the army, we would say 24:00 and start a day at 0:01hrsreally we would just say "midnight" :p So that "zero hundred hours" thing you always hear about is not real? Like on M*A*S*H? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark03 Posted January 14, 2004 Share Posted January 14, 2004 12:00 is noon, not midnight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toxicfume Veteran Posted January 14, 2004 Veteran Share Posted January 14, 2004 12:00 can be noon or midnight, to specify which, you need the suffix am or pm. 1200, on the other hand, is noon.. military style :p To answer the main question, I think it's just because of the position of the numbers on the clock. The day starts when the hour hand is pointing vertically up, which happens to be 12. :) Personally I am more used to the 12 hour clock ;) 5 am or 5 pm is easier for me to deal with rather than 0500 and 1700 :p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
blackcoffee Posted January 14, 2004 Share Posted January 14, 2004 I want to start rocking the military time.! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hum Posted January 14, 2004 Share Posted January 14, 2004 More interesting to ponder is, what if we threw away all the clocks and watches, and lived without Time. :yes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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