Let’s imagine it’s currently Wednesday the 1st. Does “next Saturday” mean Saturday the 4th (the next Saturday to occur) or Saturday the 11th (the Saturday of next week)?

  • Mr_Dr_Oink@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    1
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    9 months ago

    Thinking about it. Couldn’t it be argued that its actually quite efficient?

    You have lots of words that have multiple meanings and the difference is i the context, the tone, and the words used in conjunction with them. For example.

    Fuck.

    It can be an insult, a proposition, an exclaimation of pain, a state of repair etc. And all these things and the rest can be expressed with that one word.

    Theres more just like it but just as an example.

    • Executive Chimp
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      1
      ·
      9 months ago

      Why say many words when few work? Or whatever the Office quote is.

      It would be efficient if (when) the meaning was adequately conveyed. If the usage necessitates a back-and-forth then that is inefficient.

      • Mr_Dr_Oink@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        edit-2
        9 months ago

        I dont understand. My example is perfectly described by your point. One word that has many uses where context implies meaning.