Once, twice, thrice... what's next? Why do we usually stop after thrice...?

Question

What's the common rule in English language for this?

Answer 1

well, this isn't my language but after that the natives would say:

four times
five times
six times

and so on.

In fact as I see it, the language is evolving fast and people have started to say 3 times instead of thrice already.
Nobody says thrice any more.
they'll stop saying twice eventually.
When I started learning english in 1985 I studied that you don't say "one time" but now most people say it and many will even say I am wrong at saying it can't be said but in italian we do say "one time" and when I originally translated it into english I always got picked up by the teacher.
In american I think it isn't a mistake but in UK english it used to be.

Answer 2

I have an English degree, and I know of no other words in the series. There's no common rule, those oddities simply seem to have survived as stand-alone words for counting.

I also checked AskOxford and got about the same response... someone had asked the same question there. Here's that answer:

"Nothing, I'm afraid. These three are the only words of their type, and no further terms in the series have ever existed (the suggestion of `quince' for `five times' is picturesque but no more!). Presumably the language has not felt the lack of them."

:)

Answer 3

Nobody knows what comes after thrice. It is like what you say to children, "I'll give you til the count of three to stop what you are doing!" Or on the count of three we're goin' in!

Answer 4

Once, twice ... (thrice if you were born before 1880) and then four times, five times etc.

Answer 5

Once, twice, thrice and force ! Something fishy here.

Answer 6

How many people could put up with someone going beyond thrice? That's as far as it goes i.e., one, two, three).

Answer 7

thrice is acceptable but the correct form in eng is three times there is nothing for 4 times and further...beotch :)

Answer 8

Interesting !
i think it an accepted saying and does not make sense to elaborate futher because it explains itself enough ?.
Like once bitten, twice shy ? we do not say 'twice bitten thrice shy ..'

Answer 9

If at first you dont suceed, try, try again...

So, you tried once and didnt succeed, and you tried twice after that...hmmmm

After three times, I think its a forgone conclusion that your not gonna succeed in this venture and its worth while to put your effort into something productive, eh? :)

I wish you well..

Jesse

Answer 10

Once
Twice
Thrice
Bo Bice
Edelweiss
Beanzenrice
Catzenmice
Oleo
Neo
FLAY-ven