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In the UK, when the time is 8.50pm, we tend to say it is "ten to nine". In an American novel I am currently reading, I see this given as "ten of nine". Why "ten of" and not "ten off nine"?
Question
#126537. Asked by darksplash. (Aug 08 12 1:02 PM)
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CmdrK
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Because we don't say "ten off" an hour.
Not being flippant but we just don't. We say "ten to", or "ten of" depending on our generation and what part of the country we live in, I guess. There may be a more definitive answer but I don't know it.
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darksplash
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Okay, but it is the grammar that puzzles me. "Ten off the hour" I can understand - 10 minutes away from the hour - but not "10 of".
Unless it is not a grammar thing, of course....
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googoogagazz
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Why do you say apples and pears for stairs? Most people I know say 10 to 9. If you said ten off nine it would seem to mean 9:10, but Ive never heard anyone say that. If you ever ask me the time I'll just say 8:50. Lol.
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CmdrK
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"Unless it is not a grammar thing, of course...."
It's sloppy grammar! :) It's something that occurs over time. After I posted, I asked my wife, who spent many years in America's Midwest, what they say there. "Ten 'til nine." If you translated the way it's said in French, wouldn't it be something like "Nine hours less ten"? And to further complicate things, here in New England we might say "ten 'a' nine" (but that's sheer laziness).
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serpa
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I've heard 10 before 9, also.
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