> British and Irish English only? Others can correct me here. You are correct.... Unlike 'merkin English, in British English saying 'half nine' [meaning 9:30]

> British and Irish English only? Others can correct me here. You are correct.... Unlike 'merkin English, in British English saying 'half nine' [meaning 9:30] is fine and one would only say 'half-past-nine' if they were feeling verbose, or have a Dutch workmate and were trying to avoid confusion :-)