I've never been able to keep 12 AM vs 12 PM straight in my head. If I have to put something on my calendar or set an alarm for that time, I always use 11:59 AM or PM.
Is there a mnemonic or trick for remembering?
Is there a mnemonic or trick for remembering?
Apres midi Post midi
But surely the whole point is that midday itself is neither before nor after midday, while midnight is precisely equally both before and after?
12PM is morning, 12AM is afternoon.
The other fact that helps me remember is that 12 hour clocks were invented before the number 0, and afterwards 24h clocks are 0-based, so 12 on an old clock is the start of the am or pm cycle respectively because there is no 0. Really 12 should be 0 and then it all makes sense.
I try always to use 12 noon and 12 midnight instead.
What if a plane crashes on my house, between policies, during those two uninsured minutes?
Sure, it's unlikely, but so are all the other things that might cause me to claim on my buildings insurance policy.