# What do you mean by “Next Saturday”? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 4, 2005, 4:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750 "2005-10-04T16:41:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Ice\_Wolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/dfb087/32.png) [@Ice\_Wolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ice_Wolf)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2005, 9:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750/21 "2005-10-05T09:28:05Z")
I think it varies even in my country depending on where your family came from, or where you live. Me, I say “last Saturday”, or for the one before “Saturday before last”. The upcoming one is Saturday, and then “Saturday after this one” or “Saturday week” (I think the “week” addition is dying out, I don’t seem to hear it as often as I did in the era straight after that in which a major British influx of immigrants took place.) ---
**Author:** ![Snickers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@Snickers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snickers)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2005, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750/22 "2005-10-05T13:30:46Z")
Mine’s a lot like yours, **jebert**. “Next” refers to what’s coming up in the subsequent calendar week (October 9-15, for example), not anything that happens in the current week. Therefore, October 8 is this Saturday, October 15 is next Saturday. My husband’s more of the “next = one immediately coming up” crowd, and sometimes it causes us no end of confusion. Maybe I’ll switch to the “Saturday week” thing, but then he’ll probably think I’m pretentious. ---
**Author:** ![Zog\_10](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c57346/32.png) [@Zog\_10](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zog_10)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2005, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750/23 "2005-10-05T13:49:37Z")
> [@TheLoadedDog](#): > > Today is Wednesday, October 5. Saturday October 8 is “Saturday” (or either “next Saturday” or “This Saturday”, if you must). Saturday, October 15 is “Saturday week”. > > Saturday, October 1 is also “Saturday” if the past tense is used, as then that’s all you need. If context doesn’t make it clear, it is then “last Saturday”. Saturday, September 25 is “last Saturday week”. > > The “\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_day week” or “last \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_day week” bit is something I find very, very useful. Americans don’t seem to use it, and here in Australia, it’s hit and miss whether somebody will understand it. My parents both use it, and we never have any misunderstanding. My older sister, on the other hand, has never grasped the concept at all. > > **Saturday week** > **[this/next] Saturday** > > - today - > **last Saturday** > **Last Saturday week** > > It’s a joy to talk to people who undderstand this. However, because many people don’t, I take the added precaution of not using the day name at all if it is very close, prefering “tomorrow”, “the day after tomorrow”, or “in three days’ time”. > > I really don’t know why people stuff this up so much. I have a friend from the South (South Carolina in fact) that taught me this contruction. It is the BEST INVENTION EVER! OK, maybe not that cool, but still pretty cool. By extension, you can also use a \ week week construction. There’s Friday (the 7th), Friday week (the 14th) and Friday week week (the 21st). ---
**Author:** ![Markus76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7ab992/32.png) [@Markus76](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markus76)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2005, 1:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750/24 "2005-10-05T13:53:35Z")
There is an American version of the “Saturday week” thing the Australians/New Zealanders keep mentioning that I use. I usually say “next week, Saturday”. No confusion about that one. For this coming Saturday, I usually simply say “this Saturday”. The only time I feel comfortable saying “next Saturday” is if the day I am saying it is Saturday. Then people know I mean one week from that day. ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2005, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750/25 "2005-10-05T13:59:31Z")
I, too, find the term “Next Saturday” too vague to use. If I hear someone use the term, I’ll ask for clarification. Best to use “This Saturday” or “This Coming Saturday”. ---
**Author:** ![Duke\_of\_Rat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ad7895/32.png) [@Duke\_of\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duke_of_Rat)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2005, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750/26 "2005-10-05T15:31:53Z")
This Saturday is the coming Saturday. Next Saturday is the Saturday after that. Last Saturday is the preceding Saturday. Any other Saturdays are specified by a date. ---
**Author:** ![YaWanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/bbce88/32.png) [@YaWanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YaWanna)\ **Post date:** [October 5, 2005, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750/27 "2005-10-05T16:58:51Z")
> [@Duke of Rat](#): > > This Saturday is the coming Saturday. Next Saturday is the Saturday after that. Last Saturday is the preceding Saturday. Any other Saturdays are specified by a date. That’s how I do it, too. ---
**Author:** ![Ronnie-boy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b5a626/32.png) [@Ronnie-boy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ronnie-boy)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750/28 "2013-06-19T03:58:53Z")
Here is the example I was taught years ago and it addresses this question once and for all: you’re standing ‘next-in-line’ at a bank (yes yes I know that there are ATMs now) or in an airline check-in or baggage check-in queue. You’re ‘next-in-line’ also means you’re first in line. The teller or the agent yells “NEXT !” at the top of his or her lungs for all to hear. YOU advance confidently to the available teller or agent. You do NOT turn to the person behind you (maybe you do if you are chivalrous) and say “I think they mean you, please go ahead.” When you’re next-in-line and at the front of the line, you’re the first to be called. Thus NEXT Saturday is the first Saturday from today, there is no skipping. ---
**Author:** ![shijinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@shijinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shijinn)\ **Post date:** [June 19, 2013, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750/29 "2013-06-19T05:05:55Z")
but lines are not dates, it is more appropriate to compare it thus: last year/month/week, this year/month/week, next year/month/week last saturday, this saturday, next saturday. in any case, the POV for the queue example is the teller, not you. so the last customer has already left the bank, the teller is finishing up this customer in front of her, and is now yelling for the next customer to come forward. ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750/30 "2013-06-20T19:34:28Z")
I tend to use next, meaning the next to occur Saturday. Unless we are very close to Saturday, like it is Friday, I’ll say next Saturday or “not tomorrow _but next_ Saturday.” ---
**Author:** ![Zebra](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/c0e974/32.png) [@Zebra](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zebra)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 7:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750/31 "2013-06-20T19:37:11Z")
> [@Ronnie-boy](#): > > Here is the example I was taught years ago and it addresses this question once and for all: you’re standing ‘next-in-line’ at a bank (yes yes I know that there are ATMs now) or in an airline check-in or baggage check-in queue. You’re ‘next-in-line’ also means you’re first in line. The teller or the agent yells “NEXT !” at the top of his or her lungs for all to hear. YOU advance confidently to the available teller or agent. You do NOT turn to the person behind you (maybe you do if you are chivalrous) and say “I think they mean you, please go ahead.” When you’re next-in-line and at the front of the line, you’re the first to be called. Thus NEXT Saturday is the first Saturday from today, there is no skipping. When the teller yells “next” the teller is referring to the next customer they will serve. It has nothing to do with line placement. I also disagree that “next in line” and “first in line” are two different positions. The person first in the line is at the window. You are next after them. ---
**Author:** ![shiftless](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e9c0ed/32.png) [@shiftless](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/shiftless)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750/32 "2013-06-20T19:48:20Z")
I am so glad to find out that this is unclear to others. My mom explained to me when I was younger, somewhat impatient with my slownness, that ‘next’ Saturday does not mean the next Saturday. It actually means the Saturday after that! So I’ve learned to make the adjustment and to double check when people say next anything. ‘Next door’ - Do you mean the next house or the one after that? ‘Next week’ - that’s a tough one - do I skip a whole week like we do with days? ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750/33 "2013-06-20T20:01:23Z")
> [@Ronnie-boy](#): > > Here is the example I was taught years ago and it addresses this question once and for all: you’re standing ‘next-in-line’ at a bank (yes yes I know that there are ATMs now) or in an airline check-in or baggage check-in queue. You’re ‘next-in-line’ also means you’re first in line. The teller or the agent yells “NEXT !” at the top of his or her lungs for all to hear. YOU advance confidently to the available teller or agent. You do NOT turn to the person behind you (maybe you do if you are chivalrous) and say “I think they mean you, please go ahead.” When you’re next-in-line and at the front of the line, you’re the first to be called. Thus NEXT Saturday is the first Saturday from today, there is no skipping. That’s nice and logical, but it doesn’t matter. What matters is how people use the word. To me, “next Saturday” is the Saturday a week from “this Saturday.” However, I usually say it as “not this, but next Saturday” to make it clear. Most people I know seem to use “next” to mean not the upcoming one, but the one after that. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750/34 "2013-06-20T20:08:39Z")
One of various other threads on the subject: > **[If today is Monday the 9th, then...](https://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=607896)** > > …what do you call the 14th and 15th collectively? A “this weekend” (I never say “next weekend” for these days) B “next weekend” (at least sometimes) C I never say “next weekend” (that always means the 21st and 22nd) D “this weekend” or “next... ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750/35 "2013-06-20T20:15:57Z")
Don’t get me started on highway signs that say, for example, “Gas – next exit.” ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2013, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750/36 "2013-06-20T20:18:38Z")
This coming Saturday. The one after that is either Saturday a week, or a week from this Saturday. ---
**Author:** ![control-z](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/eada6e/32.png) [@control-z](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/control-z)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2013, 4:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750/37 "2013-06-21T16:01:02Z")
I don’t say “next Saturday” because it’s always open to interpretation. Unless it is Saturday, then “next Saturday” would probably be interpreted correctly. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2013, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750/38 "2013-06-21T16:05:48Z")
It means the next Saturday, not the one after the next one. However, when you use the expression, you should always clarify it. Unless it is Saturday, then you have to be an idiot not to understand what it means. ---
**Author:** ![Learjeff](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/94ad74/32.png) [@Learjeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Learjeff)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2013, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750/39 "2013-06-21T16:39:28Z")
It’s ambiguous, so don’t say it, and if someone else says it, ask what they mean. Interpretation 1: the next occurring Saturday (also known as “Saturday” or “this Saturday”) Interpretation 2: the Saturday after this Saturday (also called “a week from Saturday”) Both interpretations are justifiable, so just don’t use it unless you don’t care if the message is received. Never mind that this thread is 8 years old, so “next Saturday” already passed a long time ago. ---
**Author:** ![Blaster\_Master](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/cab0a1/32.png) [@Blaster\_Master](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blaster_Master)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2013, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750/40 "2013-06-21T16:48:24Z")
I use these terms unambiguously. I will use “this Saturday” to refer to the first Saturday in the future, and “next Saturday” refers to the one after that. If the day I’m saying these things on is a Saturday, that day would be “this Saturday”, but I’d just say “today” and refer to the the subsequent Saturday as “next Saturday”. If I am refering to the most recent Saturday, I will just say Saturday or “on Saturday” with the past tense. I might say “on Saturday” with the future tense synonymously with “this Saturday” but, with the verb tense, it should still be unambiguous. And if I need more than that, if it isn’t Saturday, I’ll say “two weeks from this Saturday” for the future or something like “three Saturdays ago” for something in the past. And, obviously, if it is Saturday, I’ll just say “in two weeks” or “three weeks ago”. So, I guess this would be a good way of how I might put it in a time line: If today isn’t Saturday: “last Saturday”\> “Saturday” \> today \> “this Saturday” \> “next Saturday” If today is Saturday: “last Saturday” \> today \> “next Saturday” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-mean-by-next-saturday/324750.md?page=3)