Quick Rant: EST ≠ Daylight Saving Time
Have folks suddenly forgotten how to properly acknowledge Standard vs. Daylight Saving Time?
Most places across the United States are currently observing Daylight Saving Time. When we write down the time and acknowledge time zones, we generally write this as EDT, meaning Eastern Daylight Time (same goes for CDT/MDT/PDT). When we roll the clocks back to Standard Time in November, we’ll then abbreviate Eastern Standard Time as EST.
Yet, for whatever reason, I am noticing more folks simply writing EST, without seeming to understand what the “S” means.
I don’t know how or when this trend started. When folks do this during Daylight Saving Time, I generally ask what they think the “S” stands for when they write EST/CST/etc. I’ve been met with shrugs and the occasional, “Oh, it means daylight.”
It does not. The “S” is for Standard. We use that designation between early November and early March. Once the clocks move forward, we switch to EDT/CDT/etc.
Of course, one could avoid this confusion altogether by simply writing ET/CT/etc.
I’ve shared my frustration on Twitter, but of course, my reach is tiny, so my rant is just another rant amongst millions. I’ve complained to my wife. I’ve gently corrected folks. I might be fighting a one-person battle here, but I do not care. I will shout from the rooftops—EST/CST/MST/PST = STANDARD TIME (early November through early March). EDT/CDT/MDT/PDT = DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME (early March through early November).
(Though, this matters far less for the places that do not switch their clocks.)
Just because you see other people doing something, does not make it factually correct. It’s inaccurate and incorrect to use EST during Daylight Saving Time. I’m sorry, but it just is. Sure, expressing frustration over something so small seems silly, but it’s also indicative of groupthink. Rather than doing something that’s correct, you simply go with the flow, and as a result, you’re wrong.
I don’t know how this got started, but I do know I want it to end. It’s a simple thing and folks are just wrong. Does it matter in the grand scheme of things? Nah. But come on, y’all…
Maybe this will matter less if we move away from shifting our clocks and either permanently adopt Standard or Daylight Saving Time. Congress can’t agree on whether we should pay our bills, so color me skeptical whether we’ll actually change our clocks.
Oh, and one final thing while we’re at it: It’s Daylight Saving Time, not Daylight Savings Time.
Have a great day, and remember, unless you’re in a very specific place, you’re likely observing Daylight Saving Time, so it’s EDT/CDT/MDT/PDT.
Got it?