Experian Gts - Lost In Translation

A fortnight is a unit of time equal to 14 days (2 weeks). The word derives from the Old English: fēowertyne niht, meaning "fourteen nights".[1][2] Fortnight and fortnightly are commonly used words in the English-speaking world, where many wages and salaries and most social security benefits are paid on a fortnightly basis,[3] except North America, where it is rare outside of some Canadian regions and insular traditional communities (e.g. Amish) in the United States. American and Canadian payroll systems may use the term biweekly in reference to pay periods every two weeks. Neither term should be confused with semimonthly (in one year there are 26 fortnightly or biweekly versus 24 semimonthly pay periods).

It's terminology used in a very popular TV quiz show - University Challenge. It's very intellectual. Two teams are in competition. They are asked a common question. The team that gets the correct answer then goes on to three further questions. The starter question is worth 10 points - hence the phrase, and the other three questions 5 points each. It a yearly battle between 24 teams.

In the UK 'Cheers' can mean all of the above. It is also very commonly used with more than a hint of sarcasm!

While Western culture has become used to the thumbs-up as a positive, informal signal, generally indicating a job well done, there are cultures where a thumbs-up may land you in trouble. In most of Latin America and West Africa, as well as Greece, Russia, Sardinia and the south of Italy, the thumbs-up basically means the same as the middle finger.

“Half five” meaning the meeting should start at 17.30. In Norway “half five” is 16.30 as the “half” is always prior to the hour. If you say “five thirty” that's the same as 17.30 in Norway.

The folks in the UK are famous for not saying what they mean!

The Spanish word for ‘patience’ also translates to ‘comprehension or comprehensive’. So CR guys might say thank you for your comprehension, which may be taken one way, when they mean ‘thank you for your patience’ which may be taken a different way.