Noon - 1200 - Midday - Why ?

chijiki | 13:25 Wed 04th Jun 2003 | Phrases & Sayings

7 Answers

Why is 1200, the middle of the day, called noon ? Noon is the Latin word for ninth.

we use it, but why?

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Quizmonster

In Roman and later Church timing, 3 pm was the ninth hour of the day. When the church service called 'Nones' was moved to midday from 3 pm, midday was then referred to as the ninth hour. The word is from Old English 'non', itself from Latin 'nona (hora)' - the ninth hour.

sft42

Why did I just know that before I clicked on this question the Monster was going to have beaten me to the punch again.....KUDOS to you good sir!

Quizmonster

Sorry, Sft. As I said elsewhere on this category recently...I've obviously just got too much time on my hands. Cheers.

chijiki

Question Author

Once again big thanks to the wondrous QM. for clearing up something that has bugged me for years but I've never got round to solving.

Quizmonster

Always a pleasure, Chijiki. Thank you.

Roxy

QM, don't think of it as having too MUCH time think of it as having ENOUGH time. Your knowledge is like a major acheivment of your life, I bow down to you Quiz.

Quizmonster

You're all too kind...but thank you, R.

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