4 ms·
"why does the word semi-annual exist" Your parent already provided the counterpoint, Biennially. Additionally I'm not convinced by your bicycle => 2 => bi ann
by benj111 7y ago
"why does the word semi-annual exist"
Your parent already provided the counterpoint, Biennially.
Additionally I'm not convinced by your bicycle => 2 => bi annual logic.
You could equally argue it leads to 2 times a year, because it doesn't happen a half every year just like a bike doesn't have half a wheel.
- toasterlovin 7y agoMostly I'm just arguing that it's ambiguous. I don't have a strong opinion, but the person I was responding to did and it seems like a silly thing to be so adamant about.
- OJFord 7y agoI'm 'so adamant' about what they mean only in the same sense that I am about any other word I know the meaning of, I only meant to be helpful. For your bicycle example that I didn't reply to initially - I don't see what it breaks? Unicycles have one and tricycles three wheels. If i give you a wheel triweekly you have three by the end of the week and can build a tricycle.
- toasterlovin 7y agoFWIW, regarding correct usage: the dictionary on my computer (Oxford American English) lists both meanings of biweekly and does not put either meaning forward as more correct. It even has a whole entry on the ambiguity of the 'bi' prefix.
- benj111 7y agoI can confirm that the proper OED has the same definition. "Bi- 2a occurring twice in every one or once in every two (biweekly)" Biannual is only defined as occurring twice a year though. So, inflammable.