Occasionally Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Say it's Sunday, and someone tells you something about "next Wednesday." When is that? Three days from that day, or ten days? When is the cutoff for the "next" week? I'm confused about a get-together that I thought was supposed to be today. As I haven't heard anything about it, I can only assume that it was meant to be a week from today instead. What would you have thought? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JessReplanted Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 It could mean anything. I would ask for clarification when making plans because I'm a little neurotic about planning things. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 In that context, "next Wednesday" means next week. IME if the person meant today, they would have said "this Wednesday". But, I've encountered plenty of people who didn't use the terms that way, so I would double check. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tap Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Either. Needs clarification. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dirty ethel rackham Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 The first thing that popped in my head would be 3 days from now. But, I would verify either way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolt. Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 It's linguistically ambiguous and should be struck from everyone's vocabulary, forever, punishable by... 9 lashes with a wet noodle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dandelion Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 It's linguistically ambiguous and should be struck from everyone's vocabulary, forever, punishable by... 9 lashes with a wet noodle. Yes, but will they get the lashes this Wednesday or next Wednesday? With that level of ambiguity, the lashings might never happen. :tongue_smilie: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alef Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 I would say "this Wednesday" or "this coming Wednesday" for 3 days out, and "next Wednesday" or "the Wednesday after this" for 10 days out. If I wanted to be extra clear I would add the date. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigMamaBird Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 If it's Sunday then This Wednesday is three days from now and Next Wednesday is ten days away. Edited to say 2,000 posts, Woot-Woot!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Occasionally Posted July 10, 2013 Author Share Posted July 10, 2013 The first thing that popped in my head would be 3 days from now. But, I would verify either way. It's the first thing I thought, too. I just didn't verify--which is certainly my fault. No harm done, but slightly annoying. It's linguistically ambiguous and should be struck from everyone's vocabulary, forever, punishable by... 9 lashes with a wet noodle. :laugh: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swellmomma Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 If it was Sunday than the wednesday 3 days later would be "this wednesday"; next wednesday would be the following week, but it is always better to double check when in doubt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy Posted July 10, 2013 Share Posted July 10, 2013 Why would they add the word 'next' if they meant 3 days from now? 'I'm seeing her Wednesday' or I'm seeing her this Wednesay' would mean the current week. Adding 'next' explicitly means NOT this week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bolt. Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 See, I get that, and it makes good sense... But, "next" can just as easily mean "the next one that occurs" like it does when you say "next bus stop" or "next door neighbour". It's a complete nonsense expression that communicates nothing solid. It must be crushed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Occasionally Posted July 11, 2013 Author Share Posted July 11, 2013 See, there's the question of when the week begins in here. If it begins on Monday, then saying "next Wednesday" on Sunday sounded like it was three days from now. If the week begins on Sunday, then "next Wednesday" is ten days from now. Erm, maybe I'm overthinking it. Either way, I was wrong not to confirm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teachermom2834 Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 I would definitely think 10 days but I would check dates to be sure. If I said it, though, 10 days is what I would have meant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheBrink Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 Generally, I think it would be Wednesday of next week, but I'd clarify. On a related note, my mother would use the phrase "Wednesday week" to mean a week from Wednesday. NO one ever knew wtheck she was talking about. So don't ever say that, unless you want to sound like my mother, and that is NOT a good thing. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigs Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 Why would they add the word 'next' if they meant 3 days from now? 'I'm seeing her Wednesday' or I'm seeing her this Wednesay' would mean the current week. Adding 'next' explicitly means NOT this week. It makes sense to me that the next Wednesday is 3 days from now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sahamamama Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 If it's Sunday and someone says "next Wednesday," to me that would be 10 days from now. If it's Sunday and someone says "this Wednesday," to me that would be 3 days from now. HTH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbeym Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 In that context, "next Wednesday" means next week. IME if the person meant today, they would have said "this Wednesday". But, I've encountered plenty of people who didn't use the terms that way, so I would double check. ;) I agree that if it's Sunday, THIS Wednesday would be 3 days from now and NEXT Wednesday 10 days. DH goes by the school of thought that NEXT Wednesday is the next one occuring. It still drives me nuts but I've learned to clarify events with him. Generally, I think it would be Wednesday of next week, but I'd clarify. On a related note, my mother would use the phrase "Wednesday week" to mean a week from Wednesday. NO one ever knew wtheck she was talking about. So don't ever say that, unless you want to sound like my mother, and that is NOT a good thing. LOL Is that like DS19's "yesterday night"? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alef Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 Generally, I think it would be Wednesday of next week, but I'd clarify. On a related note, my mother would use the phrase "Wednesday week" to mean a week from Wednesday. NO one ever knew wtheck she was talking about. So don't ever say that, unless you want to sound like my mother, and that is NOT a good thing. LOL I have heard and understand "Wednesday week", meaning Wednesday of next week. I actually think it works very well to clarify what could otherwise be ambiguous, but I think the usage is more common in the UK than in the US--doesn't clarify anything if people aren't familiar with the expression. I don't use it for that reason, but I wish I could. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlbuchina Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 For ten days out I would say next Wednesday, and then I might add "Wednesday week" to clarify. ETA: I have heard and understand "Wednesday week", meaning Wednesday of next week. I actually think it works very well to clarify what could otherwise be ambiguous, but I think the usage is more common in the UK than in the US--doesn't clarify anything if people aren't familiar with the expression. I don't use it for that reason, but I wish I could. I didn't know that was more common in the UK. I hear it a lot here in the South. Mostly from older people, so it's usage may be on its way out. Every time I've used it, though, it was understood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlbuchina Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 Is that like DS19's "yesterday night"? My dc say that! I have never heard anyone else say it, and can't figure out why they do. Everyone we know says "last night". LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 I have messed this up TWICE in the past two months! I have now learned my lesson.....no more, "Next" anything. Get a calendar out and let's get the DATE written down! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobbeym Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 My dc say that! I have never heard anyone else say it, and can't figure out why they do. Everyone we know says "last night". LOL Glad it's not just mine then. I've never heard anyone else say that, but DS19 has said it his entire life and no amount of correction has made a difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plateau Mama Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 See, there's the question of when the week begins in here. If it begins on Monday, then saying "next Wednesday" on Sunday sounded like it was three days from now. If the week begins on Sunday, then "next Wednesday" is ten days from now. Erm, maybe I'm overthinking it. Either way, I was wrong not to confirm. Unless you start your week on Wed, it doesn't matter which day your week starts. If the week started on Monday I'd still think this Wed. Was this week and next Wed. Would be a week+ away. If it were this week I would say "See you on Wed." Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mlbuchina Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 Glad it's not just mine then. I've never heard anyone else say that, but DS19 has said it his entire life and no amount of correction has made a difference. That is so funny! I correct my dc all the time, and they will even repeat it after me, but "yesterday night" still prevails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissKNG Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 If it is Sunday, I would specifically say "this coming Wednesday" if I meant in three days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
In the Rain Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 If it was Sunday than the wednesday 3 days later would be "this wednesday"; next wednesday would be the following week, but it is always better to double check when in doubt. This is what I was thinking too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ILiveInFlipFlops Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 In that context, "next Wednesday" means next week. IME if the person meant today, they would have said "this Wednesday". But, I've encountered plenty of people who didn't use the terms that way, so I would double check. ;) This. I'm also often guilty of not really knowing quite what day it is, so I know I've misspoken based on that. Whenever anyone refers to a event schedule that way, I always clarify, just in case. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mom in High Heels Posted July 11, 2013 Share Posted July 11, 2013 I would take next Wed to be Wed of next week (10 days). This Wed is in 3 days. I always clarify though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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