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BardTard
12-20-2006, 01:46 AM
I noticed my uncle's clock has IIII instead of IV where the 4 should be. We thought it was just one person who messed it up. Well I had a mock trial for my business law class and in the courtroom, I noticed another clock that said IIII instead of IV.

So, just out of curiosity, I typed in "Roman Numerals Clock" on a google image search and most of the clocks I found said IIII.

So... um, how many of you have clocks with Roman Numerals? Do they say IIII or IV? I just find this a bit strange. And funny.

I Took the Red Pill
12-20-2006, 01:48 AM
I have one clock like that and it says IV, but I know IIII is also an accepted form.

LoveArya
12-20-2006, 01:51 AM
I have a roman numeral clock too! but its IV, not IIII on mine

Roto13
12-20-2006, 01:53 AM
IIII was the original roman numeral for 4 because IV was the pagan god Jupiter. IV wasn't used for 4 until the late 1300s.

Xaven
12-20-2006, 02:00 AM
Yeah, what roto said.

I do not have any analog clocks with roman numerals.

They should make digital clocks with roman numerals!

Araciel
12-20-2006, 02:04 AM
digital roman numeral clock would be awesome...i would pay a hefty sum just so i could show it off

had no idea about the IIII that's pretty interesting, but was this the exception to the backwards notation denoting subtraction?? (IX is 10-1 to equal 9) because it was a low number, or were all of the numbers like this at some point?

Kawaii Ryűkishi
12-20-2006, 02:09 AM
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e200/grokyou/moshirechku-kotanechku.png

Leen-Leen
12-20-2006, 02:20 AM
I have a cuckoo clock in my room. It says IV though, I think ... Oh, yep, it does.

BardTard
12-20-2006, 02:22 AM
Am I the only person who's seen these clocks?

Oh no... I think I might be crazy... lol

Kawaii Ryűkishi
12-20-2006, 02:25 AM
No, most clocks use IIII. I actually prefer them that way, but that's because I'm an iconoclast.

BardTard
12-20-2006, 02:30 AM
What's an iconoclast?

Araciel
12-20-2006, 02:37 AM
means 'e likes to go against the grain so to speak

Hambone
12-20-2006, 06:47 AM
Mine has IV.

Xaven
12-20-2006, 07:13 AM
I've seen quite a number of clocks with IIII.

Take that one clock room or whatever in that one... Temple of the Ancients place in FFVII? Yeah. That's when I first learned about this stuff.

(I actually referred to a FF game?)

VengefulRonin
12-20-2006, 09:57 AM
http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e200/grokyou/moshirechku-kotanechku.png

That pic is awesome ^_^ And most clocks i've seen have IV on them...

Little Blue
12-20-2006, 01:09 PM
My clock doesn't have any numbers (roman numerals or normal arabic numerals), just a dot at each hour. I've seen them with both IV and IIII though, but I prefer IV cos it has a kind of symmetry to it.

Quindiana Jones
12-20-2006, 02:26 PM
IV is more common because the Roman's dun liek nuhfen more dan 3 letrs. But IIII is acceptable.

I love Roman numeral clocks, I wanna get one for my room.

Peegee
12-20-2006, 03:33 PM
Using one or the other seems to be wholly arbitary anyway.

For example. 1999 = MIM right ?

Well it's actually MCMXCIX ! wtf

So just do whatever you want. As long as the person reading knows the numbers and can do arithmetic you are fine.

Quindiana Jones
12-20-2006, 03:41 PM
1666 - MDCLXVI. Rawk.

Bunny
12-20-2006, 03:45 PM
IV is more common because the Roman's dun liek nuhfen more dan 3 letrs. But IIII is acceptable.

I love Roman numeral clocks, I wanna get one for my room.

Romans hate subtraction.

Plus the whole IVPITER was bad mojo.

Never really noticed the difference between IIII and IV. Now I'm all freakin' out and checking all of my clocks (which are in actual numerals, not silly Roman numerals. [because I am not a Roman]).

Quindiana Jones
12-20-2006, 03:53 PM
Is that so? Well, I never!

Xaven
12-20-2006, 11:23 PM
Also, last I checked, IIII is also a considered option because it's easier to read when upside down.

VI V IV might confuse people when put in the proper place on a clock.