why is two weeks called a fortnight?

Answer 1

because historically we calulated time by moon phases rather than regular calendar months. Thats why a honeymoon is called a honeymoon too

Answer 2

Fortnight is short for fourteen nights.
The significance of the two weeks is that it is the waxing or waning cycle of the moon. Before we had electric lights, the cycles of the moon were very noticeable and considered to be of great significance. After all, the moon affects the sea, which is important for fishermen etc, women also have a four week cycle. It was also believed that the moon governed vegetative growth, so Farmers should plant crops during the waxing stage of the moon. Bad magic should always be made during the waning part of the cycle.

Answer 3

Moon waxes every 14 days+few hours and wanes for other 14 days+few hours. So two fortified phases complete a month. Hence a fortnight.

Answer 4

Other than being a period of fourteen days, I thought Fortnight was a British magazine.

Answer 5

they wanted to call it a fortknox, but that name was taken.
so they tried calling it a tonight,
again
taken
so they settled on campgroundnight,
it sounded kinda lame.
so they tried other variations.
but fortnight sounded better.

Answer 6

Hi. I read once that it had to do with the period of greater darkness during half the month because of moonlight. Brightest a week before and after full moon.

Answer 7

Well you could not call1 week,3 weeks or more a fortnight could you?

Answer 8

Middle English fourtenight, alteration of fourtene night, fourteen nights : Old English fowertne, fourteen.

Answer 9

Because it's fourteen days, and fortdays does'nt sound right.
At one time a week was called a sennight.

Answer 10

because it has fourteen nights in it....hence fortnight