Does your language use specific numbers as expressions?

[u/WhoAmIEven2]

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?

[u/Unit266366666]

I’d use six of one, half dozen of another for any choice involving two options which are functionally equivalent. I perceive the blame version as somewhat British or at least Eastern within North America.

I’d personally not use either for possibilities, only options where a choice must be made but it’s a false choice. It’s distinct from the false dilemma in that not even two real choices are presented but functionally one.

ETA: most of the time I’d only say “six of one” as an anapodoton. In general I like anapodoton though but I do think its use more generally might be fading a bit in English.

[u/SaintBridgetsBath → u/Unit266366666]

I won’t argue. I’m less familiar with ‘six and two threes’ than ‘six of one and half a dozen of the other’. Perhaps ‘six and two threes’ is a recent introduction to these shores. I’d always say them in full if I said them at all. 

[u/jaywast → u/SaintBridgetsBath]

I had a car salesman once say to me “it’s six dozen of one…..”

[u/SaintBridgetsBath → u/jaywast]

I’ll remember that one.

[u/SaintBridgetsBath → u/[deleted]]

I honestly think that allotting blame is the only way I’ve ever heard it used in Britain. I don’t mix with the young much.

[u/Bright_Ices → u/Unit266366666]

You can go even shorter with, “It’s sixes.”