What does at the bottom of the hour mean?

Ivana15 · November 8, 2012, 12:15pm

I am listening that in some lessons in TOEIC (Afternoon traffic report).

Thanks

Beeesneees · November 8, 2012, 2:15pm

english-test.net/toeic/liste … radio.html
Ay half past the hour (when the minute hand points to the 6, which is nearest the bottom of an analogue clock).

Note that this must be an American or Canadian expression. Although ‘the top of the hour’ is sometimes used in the UK, I have never heard the phrase ‘bottom of the hour’ used.

Our_Tort_System · November 8, 2012, 2:20pm

I hear it quite often on the radio (US)
They always say “it’s the bottom of the hour”
:))

Beeesneees · November 8, 2012, 2:27pm

Thank you for the confirmation that it is American, Tort.

Ivana15 · November 8, 2012, 2:36pm

OK, at the bottom of the hour means half hour.

Does at the top of the hour expression exist and what does it mean? If at the bottom of the hour means half hour…

Beeesneees · November 8, 2012, 2:40pm

I explained in message 2 that it exists. It means ‘on the hour’ (at – o’ clock)