Since we've been around for awhile now, I think we've talked about this before. Do bi-weekly, bi-monthly and bi-annually really mean either twice a week, month or year and every two weeks, months or years? That seems so confusing, but it's what the dictionary says.

We have a pair of robins nesting on one of the columns supporting our front porch, so I think of it as bi- bi- birdie. As for the other either-or meaning, I'm never sure. It does sonfuse me!

quote:

Do bi-weekly, bi-monthly and bi-annually really mean either twice a week, month or year and every two weeks, months or years?

That's why we have lawyers.

It's even more confusing in the plant kingdom. Biennials technically take two years to mature and flower. But if you 'vernalize' them (partially germinate then chill until spring), they behave like annuals. Some annuals are Such good re-seeders they seem to be biennials or perennials. And many of the 'annuals' we plant in the north are actually perennials that can't take cold winters (e.g., impatiens, salvia, gerbera daisies, geranium, marigold).

I seem to remember Mike McGrath on the radio show, "You Bet Your Garden" saying just that recently.
https://whyy.org/programs/you-bet-your-garden/