십중팔구
십중팔구 - I know this means literally, "in nine out of ten", or more naturally, "in all likelihood", but I'm confused about the construction.
십중팔구 [十中八九]
십 = 10
중 = among, out of
팔 = eight
구 = nine
Why is 팔 (eight) part of the saying?
감사합니다!
I'm Korean American. It litterally means 8 or 9 out of 10 not just 9 out of 10.
I always thought it is because it wasn't a sure thing they put both 8 and 9 there, but who knows.
October 5, 2013
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