2006-09-01 12:54:00 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
probably cos nobody wants the wrong time
2006-09-01 12:57:17 · answer #1 · answered by MaxD148 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a very old habit that remains long after watches have been made precise. This was a common question back in the 1940s when all watches were spring driven and could be inaccurate. Having a train engineer's pocket watch was considered one of the more reliable, but it was heavy and bulky. Even today some men's pants still include a watch pocket long after people stop carrying pocket watcher around.
The fact that some people still ask the question simply shows the persistence of behavior long after the reason for it is gone. And some men probably think the pocket for a watch is a place to keep loose change.
Explains a lot about humanity's religious habits and other nonsensical behavior. Habits are a terrible substitutes for thought.
2006-09-01 13:05:52 · answer #2 · answered by Alan Turing 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well.. my watch is a bit strange. I don't know why but every now and then I lose twenty minutes all of a sudden (or so it seems). So I guess I'd ask for the right time. And livin in Liverpool.. all the watches are nicked or cheap dodgy ones that are more about being flashy than keeping time. So I can get why people would ask this.
However, take heed as its also a clasic mugging line... got time mate? You look at your watch.. BANG. Plus if you have got a flashy watch under your jacket.. you just waved it in they're face!
2006-09-01 13:07:21 · answer #3 · answered by frohike47 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm no longer an stressful relative that asks that very same question over and throughout again, i'm getting requested that query each and every of the time, that is probable because the courting has very last so long and marriage should be the subsequent step. It stopped with me telling the fellow(s) that there replaced into no way in hell replaced into I EVER going to get married. Why ought to i ought to prefer to be in a company for the mentally insane! LOL! Marriage can make you very ill or maybe worse....lack of existence! yet notwithstanding that relies upon on how the fellow(s) experience about the large 'M". YIKES! It scares me.
2016-12-06 03:10:19 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nearly half past, or nearly quarter to, or just gone, or getting on for
are expresions that only give an estimate of the time, not the correct or right time. Therefore if you wanted to know the correct time, you would ask for the right time.
2006-09-04 12:33:42 · answer #5 · answered by Spanner 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they look at their watch and realise it has stopped or is either fast or slow because it can't possibly be that time. And... naturally ... as has been said before, they don't want the wrong time.
2006-09-01 13:06:39 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. I know, and the watch is almost always on their LEFT arm.
2006-09-01 12:57:21 · answer #7 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because otherwise people would probably say "about 3ish" or something, which isn't always helpful.
2006-09-01 13:02:49 · answer #8 · answered by Hello Dave 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they do not have a watch
2006-09-05 02:17:09 · answer #9 · answered by tengallonhorn 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they they are muggers & they are looking to steal your watch!
2006-09-01 17:51:11 · answer #10 · answered by pauld81 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋