WHO do clocks with Roman numerals use "IIII" instead of "IV"?

Should be “WHY do clocks with …”, not who.

http://www.straightdope.com/classics/a2_153.html

That is all, I have nothing important to say… :smiley:

ZOTT-I!!

I was suprised not to hear the legend of the french clock maker repeated.

Apparently, one of the medieval french kings designed a clockface and showed it to a clockmaker. The king was so offended when it was pointed out that he’d got the 4 wrong, he had the clockmaker executed. Wise clockmakers have used IIII ever since.

Gremlins, gremlins, I tells you!

Not sure how that happened (I’m still betting on gremlins), but it’s fixed.

your humble TubaDiva
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