Hi there! I live in far northern California and I've recently heard a phrase with a meaning that's new to me. Wondering if anyone has any insight into where it's from.
I recently told two of my co-workers that I had to leave town to care for a sick relative. They each responded with "wow, you could be gone a minute." Clearly context indicated that "a minute" meant "quite a while."
Anyone know the place of origin? Is it just a local expression?
Is it a play off "New York minute?"
Your coworkers could be using hyperbole.
Emmett
Yes I do understand the meaning of the phrase. It was clear I'd be away for quite some time. But to hear it said twice, by two diffrent people in one week, implies there are other people saying it somewhere rather than just being an isolated cute phrase. I'm wondering if someone from a different location has heard it so I can learn where it came from. For example a lot of people come here from Southern California, and a few come from southern Oregon. Just wondering if anyone elsewhere has heard it.
Its pretty common in the African American vernacular. I've never heard anyone over about age 45 use it. A minute is an indefinite period of time. A long one. Not a second. A longer one by far. A minute. Like back in "the day".
I live in Georgia but I've heard (read online) it used by people from all over the country.
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This 'minute' just doesn't make sense at all in the context you describe, first it being about a long leave, and then the gravity of the matter at hand- just too serious for any light comments like that.
One way for this to make sense is if your coworkers meant they understand you must leave soon.
Then again it may be just me never having lived in Georgia.