I always thought it came down from radar/sonar terminology, e.g. "I got a bogey at seven o'clock" where the radar dial is compared to an analog clock dial. So that "clock" became "notice, or see something, especially something hidden." And in my mental canon, trans and/or gay (See also: "gaydar") military personnel and veterans took it to the streets. Whereupon autistic people who were also passing embraced it. But that could all be in my head.
That’s absolutely the original usage but that also died down as military vernacular (and analog clocks) became less and less prominent in the public.
These days I usually see the “newer” usage, maybe because digital clocks are not only easier to read but also they are also far less useful as a navigation and positioning aid. Who knows?
Yeah I blame the digital clocks for a lot of things. Like, they pretend to be super accurate, but if they aren't talking to a satellite the numbers they're showing aren't any better than "around twenty past."
And if you're going to allow 45 minutes to do something, starting at 11:37, you have to do math or set a timer rather than glancing at the wall clock and eyeballing three quarters to see 12:22.
I'm not going to say we need to bring back measurements like the hogshead, but I do think it's sad that kids no longer read analog clocks enough that it becomes an instinctive and useful analogy, for their place in the day and the world.
"Clocked" can mean you noticed anything unseen by others, whether autism or transgender or a closeted gay person or an affair or a plainclothes detective or combat veteran or grifter. And it's often because you noticed similarities to yourself, whether you too are hiding that part of yourself or open about it. You're right that it's used by transphobic people as well, although I bet they get it wrong as often as right.
Ah, thank you; my definition was only how I first learned the term, the desire to find trans friends but not want to make them feel they weren't 'passing' ehe
It makes sense that it's also used in other contexts!
22 Comments
SuperNovaStar@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 52 pts · 69d
Brutal 😭
deadbeef79000@lemmy.nz · 41 pts · 69d
What does "clocked" mean in this context?
Keilik@lemmy.world · 62 pts · 69d
Recognized, as in it was easy enough to tell she was autistic it was like looking at a clock to tell the time.
Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works · 25 pts · 69d
I always thought it came down from radar/sonar terminology, e.g. "I got a bogey at seven o'clock" where the radar dial is compared to an analog clock dial. So that "clock" became "notice, or see something, especially something hidden." And in my mental canon, trans and/or gay (See also: "gaydar") military personnel and veterans took it to the streets. Whereupon autistic people who were also passing embraced it. But that could all be in my head.
Keilik@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 69d
That’s absolutely the original usage but that also died down as military vernacular (and analog clocks) became less and less prominent in the public.
These days I usually see the “newer” usage, maybe because digital clocks are not only easier to read but also they are also far less useful as a navigation and positioning aid. Who knows?
Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 69d
Yeah I blame the digital clocks for a lot of things. Like, they pretend to be super accurate, but if they aren't talking to a satellite the numbers they're showing aren't any better than "around twenty past."
And if you're going to allow 45 minutes to do something, starting at 11:37, you have to do math or set a timer rather than glancing at the wall clock and eyeballing three quarters to see 12:22.
I'm not going to say we need to bring back measurements like the hogshead, but I do think it's sad that kids no longer read analog clocks enough that it becomes an instinctive and useful analogy, for their place in the day and the world.
HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 68d
I'm going to say we need to bring back measurements like the hogshead. Bring back the hogshead! I'd rather buy those than pony kegs.
Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 68d
The hogshead was apparently quite a bit larger
Random Thoughts on History: The Hogshead https://share.google/JKSB5Ew9xEQyoKOhH
HeyThisIsntTheYMCA@lemmy.world · 2 pts · 68d
your point being?
Septimaeus@infosec.pub · 10 pts · 69d
lol this etymology is way cooler than cop radar. It is now canonical to me.
lyralycan@sh.itjust.works · 21 pts · 69d
Recognised as trans, usually femmes. Something 'transvestigators' try to do.
Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works · 17 pts · 69d
"Clocked" can mean you noticed anything unseen by others, whether autism or transgender or a closeted gay person or an affair or a plainclothes detective or combat veteran or grifter. And it's often because you noticed similarities to yourself, whether you too are hiding that part of yourself or open about it. You're right that it's used by transphobic people as well, although I bet they get it wrong as often as right.
lyralycan@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 68d
Ah, thank you; my definition was only how I first learned the term, the desire to find trans friends but not want to make them feel they weren't 'passing' ehe
It makes sense that it's also used in other contexts!
Mouselemming@sh.itjust.works · 1 pts · 68d
A good intention, you
IAmNorRealTakeYourMeds@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 69d
first time I see it in a positive wholesome context
lyralycan@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 68d
Same, the real-life struggle with this is real
TwoBeeSan@lemmy.world · 33 pts · 69d
If only she had done her best train horn impression.
snoons@lemmy.ca · 23 pts · 69d
:3
Mac@mander.xyz · 12 pts · 69d
mrow
LodeMike@lemmy.today · 10 pts · 69d
Mau :3
strawberry_enjoyer42@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 5 pts · 68d
Obligatory "and then they kiss" :3