Approximations (around four o’clock)

Forty-odd people turned up at the demonstration. (at least 40 and maybe more)

A:

How much oil does the tank hold?

B:

I’m not sure. Fifty-odd litres, I’d say. (at least 50 litres and maybe more)

We do not use -odd to talk about time:

It’s about seven o’clock at least.

Not: … seven-odd o’clock …

A:

Can I have a lift to town with you?

B:

Absolutely. I’ll be leaving in ten minutes or so.

A:

What’s the weight limit for luggage?

B:

20 kilos or something.

[someone is giving directions]

Once you get to the school, turn left and our house is the first one on the left, half a mile, or thereabouts, up that road.

This is going to cost four hundred pounds, more or less. (preferred to This is going to cost more or less four hundred pounds.)

The bus from the airport usually costs just three or four pounds.

A:

What time are we going out?

B:

I think Linda said that she’d pick us up at sixish.

A:

What age are Gabriela’s children?

B:

Her daughter is fourish and her son must be at least seven.