Why We Have Trouble Making Plans
13 Wednesday Mar 2013
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13 Wednesday Mar 2013
I was beginning to think it was just me! I’ve had big issues with this here in NL. I use your way.
Oh good, I’m not alone!
I use your husband’s way. Though sometimes in an attempt to be extra clear, I say “this Saturday coming”. Language is such a tricky thing. My nearly-3 year old is at the stage where everything that has happened in the past is “yesterday”.
I also habitually use your husband’s way, but (like Kate) also often use “this Saturday coming” to ensure we’re on the same page! 🙂
Another vote for “this Saturday coming”.
I also have fading memories of my grandmother (British) saying “this Saturday next”. I have *no idea* what that might mean! Maybe I’ve remembered wrong.
My British boss at my last job also used “this Saturday next”, to mean “this Saturday coming” (I use your husband’s wording, FTR).
He also liked to say “Saturday week” to mean “next Saturday”. That one took some getting used to.
These days, if I’m worried that things might get confused, I use the actual date. Otherwise, it’s a baffling confusion.
I’ve used Saturday week before.
Lol, that throws a wrench in the works.
I say it your husband’s way, and sometimes I’ll say “this coming Saturday”. I’ve never heard “this Saturday coming” before though! I actually have just recently heard “Saturday week” — I heard it on a BBC show.
But this is why I always clarify with a date when making plans. Makes life much less confusing. 🙂
I use “this past Saturday” “this coming Saturday” and “next Saturday.” (In order from first to last.) “This Saturday” alone usually means “this coming Saturday.”
I think my husband is in your camp, though. At any rate, whenever I’m trying to make weekend plans he gets confused and starts making me use dates.
I can remember talking about this problem with my schoolfriends when I was in my teens. To me, next Saturday has to be the Saturday that happens next, i.e. the first one we’ll get to after today (your model). If you want an etymological argument for this position (not that etymology tells you anything much about what words mean), “next” derives from OE “nehst” meaning “nearest”, so next Saturday should be the nearest Saturday to now. However, there are so many people that use PH’s pattern one just has to supply a date.
I love your etymological explanation! That might hold some water with PH!
hahahahahah, I think I might have found a communication issue in my household. Thanks!