"Half Six" means 6:30 to me.
I think you will find that as with many things, it is common all over the
English speaking world apart from the US.

Julian



----- Original Message -----
From: "Lee Bell" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Tuesday, November 19, 2002 9:49 AM
Subject: Re: [SCUBA-SE] Pom and Oz English question


> Michael Doelle wrote:
>
> Having an argument with couple of German guys about the usage of the word
> "half" as in half six.
>
> I'm no expert as clear demonstrated by the fact that I had to read the
post
> twice and then go back again to figure out what  you were asking.  As I'm
> sure you know, but I'll say anyway, the common usage here in the U.S.
would
> be half past 6.  Half six would not communicate anything to me, at least
it
> would not have prior to now.  Once I figured out it was reference to time,
> I'd be more likely to assume it meant half way to six than half way past
it,
> i.e. I would have been an hour early, at 5:30.
>
> Speaking of 5:30, it's past that now, and I'm still an hour from home.
> It'll be half six before I get there.  Bye.
>
> Lee
>