Daylight Saving Time (DST) has been a controversial subject since Benjamin Franklin first conceived of the idea, but most Americans have gotten used to the bi-annual changing of the clocks. One question that often pops up when the time draws near is,Why?” The reason is quite simple, we are able to enjoy more daylight during the summer evenings by moving our clocks forward. A few misconceptions surround this event, and here are a few clarifications:
1.) Is it Daylight Saving Time or Daylight Savings Time?
a. Saving is used here as a verbal adjective (a participle). It modifies time and tells us more about its nature; namely, that it is characterized by the activity of saving daylight. It is a saving daylight kind of time. Similar examples would be a mind expanding book or a man eating tiger. Saving is used in the same way as saving a ball game, rather than as a savings account.
Nevertheless, many people feel the word savings (with an ’s’) flows more mellifluously off the tongue. Daylight Savings Time is also in common usage, and can be found in dictionaries.
Adding to the confusion is that the phrase Daylight Saving Time is inaccurate, since no daylight is actually saved. Daylight Shifting Time would be better, but it is not as politically desirable. (Douman, webexhibits.org)
2.) What time do I change my clock?
a. In the U.S., clocks change at 2:00 a.m. local time. In spring, clocks spring forward from 1:59 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.; in fall, clocks fall back from 1:59 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. In the EU, clocks change at 1:00 a.m. Universal Time. In spring, clocks spring forward from 12:59 a.m. to 2:00 a.m.; in fall, clocks fall back from 1:59 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
3.) What day do I change my clock?
a. This year is somewhat different for the United States and changes to the second Sunday in March. That means that in the U.S. you will ’spring forward’ (set your clock ahead one hour) at 2:00 AM on March 11, 2007. In the European Union you will ’spring forward’ at 1:00 AM on March 25, 2007.