I have looked this up in the dictionary but how long is a moment ?
Similar expressions such as 'just a tick' suggest anything from 1/2 second to 3 or 4. Opinions appreciated only if accompanied by valid reasoning. Thanks
2006-09-28 09:58:12 · 7 answers · asked by scrambulls 5 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
The French actually have an expression meaning "a long moment" ("un long moment"). I find that amazing, as they will tell you to hang on for "un moment" and one is led to believe that this will not be for too long. As we got the word from them in the first place, we should look at the implications of this. A moment appears to be a period of indefinite length. We can't complain that we have waited for a moment, as asked, and that nothing has happened, because nobody can say how long a moment is. A long moment, in the French sense, can be quite a lengthy period of time. The expression: "Just a moment" is somewhat misleading, as the word "just" suggests that it is limited to a moment and nobody is prepared to venture a view as to how long a moment can be. Until now, that is!
2006-09-28 11:32:24 · answer #1 · answered by Doethineb 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Additionally, a jiffy is actually 1/100 of a second.
2006-09-28 11:59:29 · answer #2 · answered by DANIEL R T 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It is rather vague, am guessing that people who use this phrase cannot be bothered to deal with the other persons requests there and then...
2006-09-28 11:37:19 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
People who say just a moment usually mean they will deal with you when it suits them and not you.
2006-09-28 11:01:38 · answer #4 · answered by mary o 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
saw a tv prog on this. apparentlyt just a moment etc does have a real time schedule.
2006-09-28 12:01:40 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
define moment? answering this question is like saying for a while....some seconds, some minutes. this is collocations...
2006-09-28 10:06:35 · answer #6 · answered by lillianrose z 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A brief, unspecified amount of time
2006-09-28 10:06:46 · answer #7 · answered by shellbugger 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
soon
2006-09-28 10:21:25 · answer #8 · answered by melas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋