The phrase “Just a Minute” actually has a variety of meanings for different times, different occasions, and even different cultures. For example:

A New York Minute: refers to the length of time between a traffic light turning green and the driver in the car behind you honking his horn. This time period technically has nothing to do with a 60 second minute. See also: nanosecond.

An African Minute: refers to the time period between the bus breaking down and the driver getting it on the road again. See also: three days.

“Just a minute” as an exercise in a public speaking class: refers to an agonizingly literal 60 second period during which the student is required to speak to the class about one randomly selected topic for one minute, without hesitation, repetition, or diversion. See also: nightmare.

“Just a minute!” heard from the wrong side of a bathroom door: a nanosecond can feel like hours when one hears “Just a Minute” from the other side of a bathroom door.

From your children, when you call them in for dinner: in this instance “Just a minute” really means “As soon as I take 1 or 2 or 3 more bounces on the trampoline, make 1 or 2 or 3 more sand sculptures in the sandbox, take one more turn on the swing, argue with siblings that I never got my turn on the trampoline (or swing, or whatever they have to take turns with), and then when you ask if they put their toys away, they will innocently say “You didn’t give us time!”.

From your teenagers, when you call for them to emerge from the media center that is taking over the basement to come up for dinner: this “minute” can be an extremely frustrating length of time,  especially when they have the excuse that they couldn’t hear you because their music was too loud. And what parent, upon repeatedly shouting to said teen to turn down the music, and then finally stomping down the stairs to confront the allegedly deaf teen hasn’t heard “I couldn’t hear you. My music was too loud!”

From your husband, anytime: My husband lives in a different time zone than the rest of us. In fact, he won’t wear a watch, so he can always use the excuse that he didn’t know what time it was. A minute can seem like an eternity when you are all dressed up for an occasion, and he phones from work, letting you know that he’ll be home in “Just a minute”. You may as well send the babysitter home and take your shoes off. (Sincerest apologies to my hubby, who is getting much better at getting home on time).

From your wife, calling from the other side of the bathroom door: (Yes, honey, I’ll tell the readers about me too!) Okay, I’ll admit it. When I say “Just a minute”; what I really mean is: I’ll be ready as soon as I do my hair and make up; and ask you if this dress really does make me look fat, and as soon as I really quickly change purses and find my good shoes.”

And did you hear the one about the Polish guy who called the travel agency and asked, “I want to know how long it takes to fly from here to Warsaw,” and the receptionist says, “Just a minute”, and the Polish guy says, “Thanks, goodbye.”?