Unlocking 'Quarter to Four': Time Idiom's History
Quarter After Four: Decoding a Timeless Phrase Ever wondered why we say "a quarter to four" instead of "3:45"? This seemingly simple phrase offers a fascinating glimpse into the history of language and timekeeping. Its origins lie in a pre-digital era where dividing the hour into four 15-minute segments – "quarters" – was a practical approach to time management. Before precise clocks, approximating time in quarter-hour increments was both efficient and sensible....