The vocabulary we use for time also reflects how we interpret and structure our activities. For example, our dominant work arrangements affect how we structure our "days."

We envision a twenty-four hour day as three units of eight hours each. This is not arbitrary, considering that most people work for eight hours, play for eight hours and sleep for eight hours. This is clearly signaled in our language.

Consider someone who is peppy; what might their response be when asked why they are so happy?

There is no need to insert "sleep" at the end of the utterance. Everyone knows that the 8 - 8 - 8 division of time is a salient feature of our culture, and at once defines and reflects important aspects of our social reality.

Such a common usage familiar to the speakers of a language is called a COLLOQUIALISM. What similar colloquialism do you think someone might use when asked why they didn't finish a job?