Clocks and watches are used throughout Watchmen to provide symbolism on many layers. Clocks can often be seen in the background of panels, but they are also sometimes mentioned in the text. The title of the series is itself a reference. Although the word "watchman" usually refers to a guard, i.e. "one who watches", and is used in this context in the series in the phrase "Who Watches the Watchmen?", it can also mean "one who makes watches" or even "one who is a watch". In a similar way, the name of the superhero group the Minutemen can refer both to the elite militiamen that fought during the American Revolution and to the minute hand of a clock.