This discussion has provided a better understanding of the different uses of terms with regard to a particular time scale, or to no particular time scale.
One is likely to use familiar terms in describing quantities of time. However there are a variety of expressions for the description of time quantities. For example, the expressions 'wait a minute' or 'give me a second' are often used without reference to a definite quantity of time. One can also decide on the use of 'wait a moment' or 'one moment please'.
Yet the SI second refers to a normative scale of time corresponding to the 24-60-60 framework of seconds, minutes, and hours. As matters of term usage are one issue of metrication, it is helpful to review how matters of term usage relate to other metrological issues. Then the usage norms can be more appropriately formulated.
One framework of scalar coherence calls for distinct term usage for any normative scale. Even if there isn't only one way to differentiate scale reference in terms of usage, it seems to me that we should reconsider usage in terms of various scale norms.
The SI second and the 24-60-60 framework of seconds, minutes, and hours are well-established. A time scale that is decimalized to a main unit of 1 day is already established, albeit not widely. Even so a decimal day scale may very well offer users more practicable methods for determining various common scalar comparisons. Though decimal scales of time are not yet common to daily experience.
Even without an endorsement for particular terms corresponding to a decimal day scale, it may be particularly useful for purposes of reinforcing scalar coherence to use different terms for the 24-60-60 and the decimal scales.
24-60-60 is not decimal. The SI second corresponds to 24-60-60. Decimal expressions of the SI second are formulated exclusive of minutes and hours.
A decimal day scale that is however related by factors of ten should thus use some other term scheme that is exclusive of the terms by which the units in the am/pm dial are known. One can readily refer to a unit of one day as a 'main' unit until a time when a decimal term scheme is decided upon.
In the meantime, for the use of any normative scale, we should reserve the usage of terms for 'second', 'minute', and 'hour' for references to the traditional 24-60-60 dials.
-- Ron
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