2006-07-18 18:50:28 · 16 answers · asked by Inquisitive 5 in Society & Culture ➔ Etiquette
Just a second and I will tell you.........
2006-07-18 18:55:33 · answer #1 · answered by teashy 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
People have just used it for so long that it means almost nothing. I have tried to do better with it. When I say that I usually mean I really do need just a second or less than a minute. I try to actually give the amount of time that I will need. I say for instance--1 minute, 2 minutes, 7 minutes or etc. and then ask the person to please wait. I know that sounds a little to precise, but I am usually right--I know my time limits. :) But when people say that phrase=-they mean that they are hurrying to get to you or talk to you or finish something quickly. It is not usually at all meant to be taken literally.
2006-07-19 01:56:00 · answer #2 · answered by just julie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm a cop, so I get that a lot. They say 'just a second' because it'l be less then two minutes, but more then one second. Usually, when they say 'just 5 minutes', they'll take 10. Always (expet for the second) give them double time.
2006-07-19 01:53:29 · answer #3 · answered by Why Does It Do That? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Just a second is only a figure of speech. The actual meaning is "wait for a while"
2006-07-19 01:52:19 · answer #4 · answered by simple 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They just say to create sense of urgency and also assure the other person that they won't take long so their tasks can be done otherwise if they say OK man it will take 10 minutes don't worry we go... It doesn't work that way.. Simple human Psychology
2006-07-19 01:53:44 · answer #5 · answered by dada 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a figure of speech and could mean from a second up to and including all day.......Take my word for it,,,,,,maybe longer.......
2006-07-19 01:55:05 · answer #6 · answered by ? 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its just an habbit of telling and also you cant tell an exact time what ever the work may be,so just say "just a second"
2006-07-19 01:54:06 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's a figure of speech but it's also in my opinion a habit.
2006-07-19 01:54:19 · answer #8 · answered by Gemini23 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
"just a second" is NOT a figure of speech but an IDIOMATIC EXPRESSION which means for a while
2006-07-19 02:00:27 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's just a figure of speech.
2006-07-19 01:52:50 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because they're hoping you'll forget how long a second is.
2006-07-19 06:49:40 · answer #11 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋