July 23, 2011 — 75th Anniversary of the U.K.’s Speaking Clock

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Safe Excitement — phoning and listening to the speaking clock
“On the third stroke, the time will be . . . .”

July 22, 2011

Dear DMC
 
A pleasantly dull activity – dialing the speaking clock:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-14198506

Regards
 
Steve Reszetniak
London

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Dear Steve,

One would think there is no need nowadays to pick up a landline and dial 123 to hear BT’s Speaking Clock and be charged 31p for doing so. Yet the service still receives 30 million calls every year.

Many of these calls are no doubt from dull men. The speaking clock is the type of think dull men like to listen to. And dull men like to be on time.

“You might be a dull man if you dail and listen to the Speaking Clock.”

DMC