New Slang Phrase

[docB]

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I've been running into a new phrase a lot. Actually it's an old phrase but a new meaning.

"a minute"

I'm now getting this all the time as an answer that means any time frame from a few hours to a few years.

How long have you had this pain? "For a minute."

How long have you been on Norco? "About a minute."

When was your CABG? "It's been a minute."

Anyone else hearing this?

 

[RustedFox]

Not new to me. Been hearing unhelpful responses like this for a minute.

ZING!

 

[docB]

I've only been hearing it like this for a few months. It is similar to other unhelpful time frames I get frequently:

When did such and such happen?

- Around when we got the new car.
- Right when I moved here.
- Right after my brother had it.

and so on

 

[WilcoWorld]

I'm a bit of a language zealot, so I'm probably too finicky in certain cases, but this phrase really irritates me. Mostly because it means something very different from what it says. The slang phrase means "longer than a short while", which is most certainly not equal to 60 seconds.

Also, it's becoming so common that people get mad when I ask them to clarify. They use it and hear it frequently, so they think it's clear what it means. The fact is that people are turning something rather precise into something completely nonspecific.

Ironically, I think you misused it above docB. I've found that "About a minute" actually means about a minute. When I hear the slang phrase it's always been stated as "it's been a minute" or just "a minute". Typically with emphasis on "minute" and always singular. Never "a few minutes", because, of course, "a few minutes" is a much shorter period of time than "a minute".

 

[DeadCactus]

Old phrase, heard it for over a decade. Pretty sure it derived as a sort of antonym to the phrase "New York minute"...

 

[EM_Rebuilder]

I am certain this has roots in the Deep South.

We had a minute, and a HOT minute.. if it was a HOT minute, then you know it was a really long time.

This goes hand in hand with being a hot mess.

 

[Direct Laryngoscopy]

That's an old (1990s) NY term (specifically queens and Brooklyn, and a little bit if the Bronx). Time frame depends on the topic of discussion. You have to get feel (experience) to get a handle of the term in context of discussion.

Haven said that in years (or maybe decades).

 

[deleted547339]

a minute 👎 - term used to describe the duration of time that has passed between today and the most recent dentist appointment. most likely equal to the patient's current age minus approximately 10-16 years.

 

[BJJVP]

I had an attending that believed that most AMI's missed were NOT because the sx's were atypical. He felt that a lot of the pts simply could not accurately describe their problem/symptoms. While I think that atypical presentations certainly do exist, I have to agree that poor communication on the part of patients can contribute significantly to what is often perceived or written off as substandard care. Also, I am not sure it's always the physician's fault for not recognizing the pt's shortcomings.

 

[The White Coat Investor]

I've been running into a new phrase a lot. Actually it's an old phrase but a new meaning.

"a minute"

I'm now getting this all the time as an answer that means any time frame from a few hours to a few years.

How long have you had this pain? "For a minute."

How long have you been on Norco? "About a minute."

When was your CABG? "It's been a minute."

Anyone else hearing this?

I thought it was a Southern thing. Heard it a lot in Virginia, but not much since coming back out West. Surprised you're getting it in Vegas.

 

[name?]

Daily use in Philly, but not once have I heard it out west. Less 'falling out' over here too.

 

[Perrin]

It's pretty common down in the SE. Usually have to clarify that "a minute" means the symptoms started after they called 911. They then deny that they were psychic in predicting their symptoms and that they have been having 'chest pain' since they went to the store.

 

[VA Hopeful Dr]

I absolutely loathe this phrase. I've started to lose my temper when someone uses it.

 

[acceptmeplease]

Daily use in Philly, but not once have I heard it out west. Less 'falling out' over here too.

Less tachylordy and bradylordy, too?

 

[SoCuteMD]

This phrase makes me want to bash my head against the wall.

 

[NOsaintsfan]

I am certain this has roots in the Deep South.

We had a minute, and a HOT minute.. if it was a HOT minute, then you know it was a really long time.

This goes hand in hand with being a hot mess.

I second this. I grew up in the deep south (Mississippi) not far from New Orleans and remember hearing the above phrases/terms sometime in the mid-late 90's.

Hot mess is a good one. As in: What happened last night? Oh it was a "hot mess". Meaning things were hectic or crazy. You could also use it like this: Have you talked to so and so lately. Man he's a "hot mess". This could mean several things but generally it means that "he" is having some problems OR he has been getting intoxicated and partying a lot. Something of that nature.

Growing up I actually thought common use of lots of slang was "normal". There are many, many diverse slang terms floating around the south. Lots of interesting personalities and colorful people.

The New Orleans metro area has a whole unique set of slang that is pretty interesting as well.

 

[gonesurfing]

Who knows where that started. Grew up in CA. Been heard that use since high school (mid 90s?). Some ppl still use it. It's been replaced mostly with "hella dayz". Note this is Northern CA only as SoCal hates our Hellas.

 

[gonesurfing]

This phrase makes me want to bash my head against the wall.

Ppl who use YOLO and say "hashtag" makes me want to bash my head in.

 

[substanceP]

Who knows where that started. Grew up in CA. Been heard that use since high school (mid 90s?). Some ppl still use it. It's been replaced mostly with "hella dayz". Note this is Northern CA only as SoCal hates our Hellas.

interesting. grew up in SoCal and we're about the same age (hs was early 90s) but i didn't hear that phrase till residency in the bronx. now hear it all the time as an attending in manhattan.

btw, i love your username. i wish i had thought of it. i miss consistent california surf. east coast swell is fickle.

 

[HunterGatherer]

Grew up in Chicago and it was commonly said from at least the late 80's when I first heard it. Very annoying phrase. It does seem to be experiencing a resurgence here in NYC and perhaps nationally.

 

[Cerberus]

I heard that a lot in Baltimore. Not so much in my part of the NE.

 

[illegallysmooth]

Heard this a LOT in Atlanta. "It been that way for a minute." Upon clarification, the minute lasted anywhere from a week to 23 years. The phrase is also in a few popular rap songs, don't ask me how I know that. Personally, I'm hoping to bring back the term "mmmbop." Obviously, it would now mean "for my entire lifetime."

 

[deleted77919]

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[prometheus09]

I've been running into a new phrase a lot. Actually it's an old phrase but a new meaning.

"a minute"

I'm now getting this all the time as an answer that means any time frame from a few hours to a few years.

How long have you had this pain? "For a minute."

How long have you been on Norco? "About a minute."

When was your CABG? "It's been a minute."

Anyone else hearing this?

Wow! I thought it was just Detroit slang, surprised to hear it's been used all over the USA.

 

[TooMuchResearch]

Around here people can at least clarify the length of their a minute for me, when needed. As in, "So when you say a minute, do you mean it just happened, or do you mean something else?" If something else and patient is unable to clarify, I give options. It has worked so far.

 

[pinipig523]

Yes... I hate that term.

 

[Spinach Dip]

Ppl who use YOLO and say "hashtag" makes me want to bash my head in.

Reading this post made my eyes bleed.