This hollywood couple used the phrase "by the clock" as a reassurance of their love for each other. Who were they and what circumstances led up to them coming up with that phrase?

Pickford-Fairbanks

Mary first met Fairbanks in Westchester County at the estate of Elsie Janis, a friend of Owen Moore. Though Mary and Fairbanks took a liking to each other,they did not meet again until a year later, at a party at the Algonquin Hotel. Fairbanks was so taken with Mary that he promptly told his mother about his love and took Mary to meet her. In 1916, Fairbanks’ mother died suddenly. For several days, his deep anguish was hidden by his enormous self-control. Finally, while Mary and Doug were riding through Central Park, he burst into tears. While Mary comforted him, she noticed that the dashboard clock in the car had stopped at the hour of his mother’s death. The two took this as a sign that they were made for each other and from then on, whenever their love needed reassurance, they would say or write the words “By the clock.” In fact, the night before Fairbanks died in 1939, he made sure that his brother Robert would relay those exact words.

WRONG!

Just kidding
It was a tossup between you, Racer, and DG as to who would answer first. You won!

I actually was asked this question earlier this evening and did not know the answer so thought it would make a good question here. Now....did you know it or did you google it? I'll confess...I had to google...found the same site you did...

No,I didn't know it. Interesting how fate works sometimes, between two people.

Interesting side note...they were both married to other people at the time they fell in love and coined the phrase "by the clock" Times being as they were, they feared how Hollywood would react to their feelings -yet one more reason they used that phrase

They later married in 1920 and stayed married for 16 years.

I didn't know it, either. Good Question, Georgia.

History repeats ! When the future Napoleon III was out for a stroll in the park a young woman asked him for the time, because her watch had stopped. When he looked at his own watch he found that it, too, had stopped and at exactly the same time. Feeling 'the hand of Fate' giving him as heavy prod in the ribs he fell into conversation with her. They later married.

How cool is that? I'm going to have to start walking up to men and asking them "what time is it?"

"I'm going to have to start walking up to men and asking them "what time is it?" " - Georgia

If you asked "Do you have the time," I think the responses would be more interesting.

"May I inquire as to the hour?"