[tromp]

> The Simple Rule

> If the Friday you’re referring to is beyond seven days from today, including today, it’s next Friday.

That's not a such simple rule. I'm not even sure what "including today" means.

A simple rule would be: next Friday is the first Friday after today.

The whole existence of this website suggests that the term "Next Friday" is at best ambiguous. Especially on a Saturday or Sunday, many people will interpret "Next Friday" as the Friday of next week. So just be explicit and say "Friday next week".

[episteme]

Your rule is describing this Friday, not next Friday.

[tromp]

Except on Friday's, when "this Friday" means today. On other days, many people indeed use "this" and "next" synonymously.

[hawkice]

Perhaps this is regional? I would identify this Friday as the 15th, and next Friday as the 22nd. Next Friday always means the Friday after the next one, which I notice is insane as a matter of logic, but is the local usage I am familiar with.

[tromp]

> Next Friday always means the Friday after the next one

You're using "the next one" i.e. the next Friday, to refer to the first one after today.

[hawkice]

Yes, next Friday is not the next Friday, those two phrases are very different despite that being weird.

Not endorsing this, just reporting from usage.

[keernan]

I've become used to saying: "This coming Friday"