午ご刻こく

noun

noon; the hour of the horse

Archaic term for noon, from the traditional Chinese zodiac time system where 午 (horse) corresponds to roughly 11 a.m.–1 p.m. Not used in modern everyday language; 正午 is the standard word for noon.

• 江え戸ど時じ代だいの記き録ろくには「午ご刻こくに到とう着ちゃく」とある。

  Edo-period records say 'arrived at the hour of the horse (noon).'