Quizmonster - ante meridiem/post meridiem

[Lennon]

Regarding the question below about Noon 12am or 12pm. In your answer Quizmonster (which was great as usual) you explained what am and pm means which I've always wondered about. Can you tell me where the actual words came from (I understand that meridiem means middle, post is after and ante is before - but is it Latin?)

[JohnPPotts]

Yep, it's Latin. So is AD (Anno Domini - Year of our Lord).

[Quizmonster]

Dear Lennon, It is, indeed, Latin. However, the 'meridiem' part is made up of two elements...one from 'medius' = middle and the other from 'dies' (pronounced dee-ez) = day. The original form, therefore, was 'medidies' which modified to 'meridies' and that - in the accusative case - becomes 'meridiem'. So, meridiem is not just 'middle' but 'middle of the day'. Cheers and thanks for the kind comment.

[Lennon]

Thanks Quizmonster for replying. Now I have to try and remember it all in case anyone ever asks what it is, and I can say 'well actually it means....' :) Thanks to John as well for the extra info - I'll be fluent in Latin before you know it!! :)