What is a fortnight?

From the Middle English "fourtenight" - or fourteen nights - a fortnight is a contraction meaning a time period of two weeks. The word was originally used in about the year 1000. Example: The Chiefs have no game next week, so they won't play again for a fortnight.

More Info: www.dictionary.com

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142 Comments

Janet Hart

Funny I knew that from reading sleazy historical romance novels.

Spike Holmes

It's the Queen's English these day's, - has been for 63 years!

William Laughlin

John Hogan Fortnight Origin and Etymology of fortnight Middle English fourtenight, alteration of fourtene night, from Old English fēowertȳne niht fourteen nights

Lydia Coutts

^ Very nasty and thoroughly uncalled for. If you want to make unkind personal comments then sod off to YouTube - you'll fit right in.

Steve Tingle

No problem for the English (and probably the rest of the British) but what about sennight? Now obsolete but meaning seven nights or a week.

Barbara Greer

Daniel Halley It's very clear who she's referring to because she's used ^ to point to the comment above hers. Plus, being called centuries old IS rude and offensive, which is basically what the person above her had said about someone.

Lydia Coutts

Thanks Barbara. I thought the arrow sufficiently indicated whom my comment was directed at - particularly as it's the only unkind personal comment - but it seems certain people need things spelled out for them as if they were a small child.