Fortnight

Fortnight is a unit of time that refers to a period of two weeks. The term is commonly used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and many Commonwealth countries. It is derived from the Old English term fēowertyne niht, meaning "fourteen nights".

Origin and Usage

The term "fortnight" originated from the Old English term fēowertyne niht, which translates to "fourteen nights". This term was used in the context of lunar cycles, where a fortnight represented the time between a new moon and a full moon, or a full moon and a new moon.

In modern usage, a fortnight is a unit of time equivalent to 14 days, or two weeks. It is commonly used in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and many Commonwealth countries including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and India. In these countries, it is common to discuss periods of work, pay cycles, and other regular events in terms of fortnights.

In Literature

The term "fortnight" is often used in literature and historical texts. For example, in William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet, Capulet asks his wife to tell Juliet that she will marry Paris in "a fortnight and odd days".

In Other Cultures

While the term "fortnight" is not commonly used in the United States, the concept of a two-week period is still prevalent. For example, many employees are paid bi-weekly, which is essentially the same as being paid every fortnight.

See Also

• Week
• Month
• Year
• Time

References

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