idioms - What are valid time-periods that can be used in the phrase "the other ________"?


"the other day" is a pretty standard and understood phrase. It usually translates to "on a recent day". So you could say "I was talking to Rachel the other day..." which would mean "I was talking to Rachel on a recent day...".


It's been pointed out to me that I will often use the phrase "the other week" and this comment is usually followed by a judgement that that is not a phrase that is used.


My question is, what are valid time-periods that can fill in the blank in the phrase "the other _"?


Some [non-exhaustive] samples:



  • the other second

  • the other minute

  • the other hour

  • the other day

  • the other week

  • the other month

  • the other year

  • the other decade

  • the other century


To me, "day" and "week" sound fine, "month" and "year" are acceptable but sound a little funny, and the rest sound completely weird.


P.S.


A related question to consider that might help elucidate why some of these sound more natural than others and whether substitutes are acceptable: What are the limits of the multiplier "the other"? For example, how many days into the past can I safely refer to as "the other day"? Less than a week ago? Less than a month ago? Less than a year ago?


I'd venture to say that the phrase has a human-centered nature about it -- even if you're talking about a non-human ("the volcano erupted the other day") -- which somehow limits the bounds to being less than the lifetime of a human being. But this is purely a guess.




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