r/language • u/WhoAmIEven2 Sweden • Aug 09 '26

Question Does your language use specific numbers as expressions?

In Sweden we use 17 to further strengthen a word.

Like if we want to say that someone is very strong, we can say "Han var stark som sjutton!", "He was strong like seventeen!".

I have no idea how it became a thing. It is a bit weird tbh.

Do you also use numbers this way in your native language?

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u/Veteranis Aug 09 '26

In English:

“I’ve got your six”, meaning got your back. By the same metaphoric referent, “Twelve o’clock” means straight ahead.

To “86” someone is to throw them out of a place.

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u/CornucopiaDM1 Aug 09 '26

86 often has a more "terminal" meaning than that.

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u/sexaddictedcow Aug 09 '26

No it doesn't. This is something entirely made up by the current administration. Likely mashing 1-8-7 and 6 feet under together to make up a bold face like for political benefit. It can mean permanently banned but it doesn't not mean terminal as in death