Daylight Saving Time RANT!!

[True Dough]

Nope, this isn't about how I'd like to see DST come to an end (although I'd certainly be in favor).

This is about how the media always trots out alarmists stories over the need to protect your heart and health because you MIGHT lose up to 1 hour of sleep when you move your clocks ahead.

POPPYCOCK! I don't care if there's a study that shows a modest uptick in health incidents or vehicle accidents after DST kicks in. There are all kinds of studies skewed one way or another. Many studies are not worth the paper they're written on.

You can't tell me -- well, you can, but I won't believe you -- that parents who spend countless nights either sleepless or with very little shut-eye due to tending to infants (maybe two or three or four of them over a lifetime) are all of a sudden going to be in peril because DST may have cost them up to 1 hour of sleep.

Or how about travellers who regularly go from one time zone to the next. They should be in great jeopardy.

It's ridiculous!

[randr]

1. It is all very relative

If we renamed the days of the week so they were reversed do you think we would feel time go backwards?

[ProudLib72]

2. I saw one study that said orange people are at a higher risk of heart attack

In which case, I'm all for having three or four DST changes within the week.

[Chin music]

3. Or folks who stay up at night, staring at the ceiling w balled up fists

over their country they helped build, crumbling

[matt819]

4. I love the hysteria over the loss of sleep

I lived overseas for almost 20 years, in time zones ranging from 6 to 11 hours away from the US east coast. Yes, jet lag was an issue periodically, but never did I think I was at any risk of, well, of anything related to the travel or the jet lag. The hysteria over the loss of one hour is beyond absurd. That said, I'm still stumped at why we continue to move back and forth. Leave things at DST and let's move on.

[GeorgeGist]

5. TV news is pathetic.

Except for weather and sports it's mostly useless.

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

6. I agree.

Someone here once claimed it took her MONTHS to adjust to the time change. Really?

It is obvious that all those who complain so bitterly have never crossed into a different time zone. Apparently.

There was a LTE in my local newspaper a couple of days ago saying we should be on DST year round, because during the Christmas season it's pitch black by 4pm. The very earliest sunset in this city (I checked) is 4:50 pm. Nearly an hour after he claims it's already pitch black outside.

I do think we go on DST a month too early, and get off it six weeks or a month too late. Mid April to mid September would make much more sense.

[littlemissmartypants]

7. Kicked and recommended.

Just for the "POPPYCOCK!" Rant and Rock on, True Dough. You're so righteous and appreciated. ❤

[True Dough]

8. Sounds sort of silly now that I read it again

I don't know the origin of poppycock, but it felt good to write it! Hope all is well with you, littlemissmartypants.

[littlemissmartypants]

9. ❤

I'm good, True Dough. Thanks so much for asking. I hope you are doing the same.

[sarge43]

14. Origin of poppycock

Combo word.

Latin: pappa (food)

Dutch: kak (shit)

Recent one, too. According to the OED, first written example, 1865. I'm thinking it was made up at Oxford or Cambridge as a gentleman's way to say "shit" in public and get away with it. If so, you're in good company.

[True Dough]

15. Thanks for the etymology lesson, sarge

I guess I'll pronounce it pappakak from now on to be true to the word's origins.

[sarge43]

16. Sounds even better that way. n/t

[Phentex]

10. I like to keep asking my husband "What time is it *really*?

[Major Nikon]

11. Time to take to the streets

[True Dough]

12. I took the opportunity to gripe and complain

so I'll leave this here. It made me chuckle.

[sarge43]

13. If losing any sleep from an hour to a couple of days worth were lethal,

service and service support workers from the military, medical, line men, fire fighters to whomever, would be dead. During crisis or disasters, they routinely go without sleep and a lot more than just an hour's worth.

What is dangerous is the media's fear mongering.