Knowing the difference between pastime and past time is long overdue.

Pastime (note the one t) is a hobby or activity that a person enjoys doing. For example, One of Emily’s favorite pastimes in Los Angeles was people watching.

Past time is a phrase meaning “should have already happened.” To wit, “It’s long since past time that you got your homework done,” mom said.

Hopefully, making this error will no longer be a pastime of writers.