What do AM and PM mean, and why are they easy to mix up? Get link Facebook X Pinterest Email Other Apps Please share your answer in the answers box below. Your help can support others with the same question. Get link Facebook X Pinterest Email Other Apps Comments Nicki PeteJune 9, 2025 at 6:04 PMAM and PM come from Latin:AM = Ante Meridiem = before noonPM = Post Meridiem = after noonSo:AM covers midnight (12:00 AM) to just before noon (11:59 AM).PM covers noon (12:00 PM) to just before midnight (11:59 PM).Why people mix them up:Midnight and Noon Confusion:12:00 AM is midnight, but it feels weird to call midnight “ante meridiem” (before noon).12:00 PM is noon, but it’s the exact middle of the day, not really “after noon.”This makes the 12 o’clock times tricky.Unfamiliar Latin terms: Most people don’t know the Latin origins, so AM and PM can feel arbitrary.Switching Context: People often think “AM” means morning and “PM” means afternoon/evening, but the transition points (12:00) cause confusion.ReplyDeleteRepliesReplyAdd commentLoad more... Post a Comment
AM and PM come from Latin:
ReplyDeleteAM = Ante Meridiem = before noon
PM = Post Meridiem = after noon
So:
AM covers midnight (12:00 AM) to just before noon (11:59 AM).
PM covers noon (12:00 PM) to just before midnight (11:59 PM).
Why people mix them up:
Midnight and Noon Confusion:
12:00 AM is midnight, but it feels weird to call midnight “ante meridiem” (before noon).
12:00 PM is noon, but it’s the exact middle of the day, not really “after noon.”
This makes the 12 o’clock times tricky.
Unfamiliar Latin terms: Most people don’t know the Latin origins, so AM and PM can feel arbitrary.
Switching Context: People often think “AM” means morning and “PM” means afternoon/evening, but the transition points (12:00) cause confusion.