PM is used with clock times to show the hours from noon (12:00) to just before midnight (11:59). It helps distinguish afternoon and evening times from morning times in the 12‑hour clock system.
From Latin *post meridiem* meaning “after midday.” It pairs with *AM* from *ante meridiem*, “before midday,” a system kept in English even though most people no longer speak Latin.
The fact that we still write *pm* is a tiny museum of Latin built into everyday life. In many countries the 24‑hour clock avoids this, but English-speaking culture hangs on to this elegant little time riddle.
As an abbreviation for 'prime minister,' the role has historically been dominated by men in most countries, and masculine pronouns were often used by default. Only in the late 20th and 21st centuries did women begin to occupy this office in larger numbers, challenging assumptions that political leadership is male by default.
When referring to a prime minister, avoid defaulting to 'he' and use the office title or the person’s name instead of gendered shorthand. Recognize that people of any gender can and do hold this role.
["prime minister","head of government"]
Women prime ministers and heads of government worldwide have been central to reshaping public expectations about who can lead at the highest political levels.
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