Why does bi-weekly mean "every two weeks?" This has always bothered me because intuitively it should mean "twice a week." - eviltoast

Similar case in point: “bimonthly” means “twice a month.” That makes sense.

But the definition for “bi-weekly” does not make sense.

What do you think?

  • jerkface@lemmy.ca
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    10
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    11 months ago

    Frustratingly, “biannual” can also mean twice a year or every two years. Fortunately there is the “biennial” which unambiguously means every two years.

      • jadero@lemmy.ca
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        4
        ·
        11 months ago

        Are you sure about that? I’m from Canada and distinctly remember the travel ads urging us to head on down to participate in the bicentennial celebrations, meant to celebrate the second century of that country’s founding.

          • jadero@lemmy.ca
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            2
            ·
            11 months ago

            Language is a wonderful chaos. You’re just on the leading edge of change! :)

            • baconisaveg@lemmy.ca
              link
              fedilink
              arrow-up
              2
              ·
              11 months ago

              One of the ‘trivia’ things on the display in our elevator was about how Websters had a listing for 5 years that wasn’t actually a word, ‘dord’. Like come on, now you can’t even trust words in the dictionary?!