Leap second smearing

Leap second smearing is a technique used by some systems to smoothly incorporate the occasional extra second added to Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) to keep clocks aligned with Earth's rotation. Instead of adding a literal full second suddenly, the system gradually adjusts time over several hours—like shifting the clock by a tiny amount each second—so users and applications experience a seamless transition without disruptions. This helps prevent issues in time-sensitive technology, such as servers or financial systems, by maintaining consistent time without abrupt jumps.