A Random Question:

[leo_wolf]

Why is 12:00 p.m. known as noon? What is the significance? And what about midnight? I understand that it's the middle of the night, but how could they tell? Did they even have the day separated into hours, minutes, and seconds yet? Or was it midnight all night until dawn?

These questions brought to you by four mini Reeses Peanut Butter Cups.

Comments

[jestingly_yours]

The word "noon" is derived from Latin nona hora, the ninth hour of the day. As the Roman day started on 6.00 a.m., at sunrise, the first hour would have been from 6.00 till 7.00 a.m and the ninth hour from 2.00 till 3.00 p.m. These hours were important in monasteries, as different prayers were held on them.

The English word "noon" originally applied to 2.00 p.m., but by 1100 AD the meaning had shifted to "midday" somehow.

This answer brought to you by only one mini Reese's Peanut Butter cup--the very last one. ):

[leo_wolf]

Wow, thanks! Where did you look that up? I couldn't find it.

Now how about midnight? ;)