[etni] question about a certain time expression
- From: David Reid <reidnomad@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: etni@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Sun, 16 Mar 2014 18:17:43 +0200
Hi, ETNIers
Although I am a native speaker of English and do try to keep up with the
changes in the language, I realize that there are some trends which pass me
by. I corrected an Israeli youth who said "five and a half" to mean the
time "5:30"; I told him that the correct expressions are "five-thirty", "
half past five", and sometimes "half six". However, the Israeli told me
that "a lot of Americans say it now." Of course I do not take his word for
it, but I cannot dogmatically deny it either. Does anyone know whether:
(a) this usage has indeed arisen among native speakers, and
(b1) if so, whether it is presently at the stage of
(i) common mistake
(ii) slang,
(iii) accepted usage ?
(b2) if not, whether it is a common product of Israeli English?
Thanks.
David Reid
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