"until" vs "before" or "to"

[sagehen]

(a) It is now 25 minutes until 6.
(b) It is now 25  minutes before 6.
(c) It is now 25 minutes to 6.
  ~~~~~~~~~~~
What's the difference?

 (a) feels wrong to me, unless sthg important is going to happen at 6.

 (b) & (c) as simple announcements of the time seem right.

Is this just me, or do others have the same sense?  I would probably never
have thought of this  if one of our local radio announcers didn't use the
"until" form regularly,  catching my attention.  Most of them say "before."
AM


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