The Student Room Group

Why is the word several named after the word seven. But doesn’t mean seven

So you have a couple which is two. A few which is three. A dozen which is twelve. And several which is just whatever because no one could care less. WELL I CARE. WHY’D THEY DO IT. WWWWHHHHYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Reply 1
It isn't related to 'seven'.

'Seven' is Proto-Germanic in origin, with a common PIE root (septm) shared by the Latin septem, the Sanskrit saptan, and the Greek hepta.

'Several' comes from Anglo-Norman via the Latin separ.
Reply 2
I have my own amounts.

A couple is two.
A few three or four.
Several is five to eleven.
A dozen is twelve.

That works fine.
Original post by Billycatnorbert
So you have a couple which is two. A few which is three. A dozen which is twelve. And several which is just whatever because no one could care less. WELL I CARE. WHY’D THEY DO IT. WWWWHHHHYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


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