Can You Explain Time Signatures In Plain English? Options

[better]

Everytime I try to learn about it (or most music theory) the person or thing I'm reading gets off on an 8 hour tangent and doesn't explain it in plain, simple English. (Why it so hard to explain it as- 1-2-3-4? Without getting off subject?)

[midiwife]

Hi Marceldolive,

I really like your metaphor/analogy

As I teach music production and technology courses to adults (often with no formal musical background) I'm always on the lookout for this kind of illustration.
I hope you don't mind if I borrow it for my classes?
I will give you full credit I promise!

All the very best,

Karina Townsend
Music tech coordinator
City Lit
London