Does anyone know why people answer the question of what time it is by saying "it's ten of eight" (if it's 7:50) or "it's quarter of eight" (if it's 7:45)? Canadians and Brits tend to say that it's "ten to", or "quarter to". I recently had a guest from Armenia who asked why we say "of" instead of "to" Â and I couldn't come up with any explanation. Â
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While we're at it, is saying "ten of" a US-wide usage  or is it regional? (I'm in New England.) Â
You can see a discussion of this subject here:
"https://waywordradio.org/discussion/topics/why-do-auctioneers-talk-so-fast-full-episode/?value=quarter%20of&type=1&include=1&search=1&ret=all"
You will have to cut and paste this without the quotes. Â I have a hard time making links.
Well, to me it seems this way,
It's (as if you take) 10 of 8!;-)
Dick said:
You can see a discussion of this subject here:
"https://waywordradio.org/discussion/topics/why-do-auctioneers-talk-so-fast-full-episode/?value=quarter%20of&type=1&include=1&search=1&ret=all"
You will have to cut and paste this without the quotes. Â I have a hard time making links.
Here is the link.
