Different meanings of 'every other'?

Question

Does 'every other' carry the same meaning in 'every other day' and in 'every other person'? The following is the context of 'every other person'. Thank you.

When I was a boy “discovering literature”, I used to think how wonderful it would be if every other person on the street were familiar with Proust and Joyce or T. E. Lawrence or Pasternak and Kafka.

Philip · Accepted Answer

the rest:

I am Chinese. Every other person in the class is Brazilian. [all other persons]

I work Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Every other day I am free. [all other days]

alternating:

I go to Turkey every other summer. [One summer I'm here; the next I go to Turkey.]

The children walk from the stage, every other one turning left, then right. [make 2 lines]

Szfreaky · Answer

Thank you Philip,
But you haven't really answered my question. Regarding the quoted sentence about very other other person on the street, does it mean alternatig or the rest? Thank you.

Philip · Answer

I'm certain that it means all the rest.

CalifJim · Answer

every other means 'alternating' when there is no comparison.

It means 'the rest' when there is an implicit comparison to a specific individual or group.

I go to the supermarket every other day.

(No comparison to a specific day. - "alternating")

I don't go to the supermarket on Sundays or Tuesdays, but I do go on every other day.

(Comparison to Sundays and Tuesdays. - "the rest")

In your example the implicit comparison is between the boy and everyone else, so it's "the rest".

CJ

Szfreaky · Answer

Now I see the difference. Thank you for coming back, Philip.

Szfreaky · Answer

Understood! Many thanks, CJ. Oh I love this website.

Different meanings of 'every other'?

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