What is high noon?

"High noon" typically refers to 12:00 PM, the time of day when the sun is at its highest point in the sky for that location. This term is often used to denote a time of clarity or decision-making, as the sun's positioning results in minimal shadows and maximum light.

In popular culture, "high noon" is famously associated with Western films and stories, symbolizing a climactic or confrontational moment, most notably in the 1952 film "High Noon" starring Gary Cooper. This movie, which is a classic of the Western genre, deals with themes of duty, courage, and justice as the protagonist, a town marshal, faces a gang of outlaws alone. It is often praised for its storytelling and real-time progression, reflecting the tensions of McCarthyism during its release period.

The term might also evoke a sense of traditional showdown or conflict, echoing the dramatic portrayal oftentimes seen in Westerns where adversaries face off in a symbolic duel in the middle of an open street, usually at noon.