New York

LarryRB · Jun 27, 2004

On many posts someone, regardless what they are talking about, and usually but not always in hindsight, "would change it in a New York minute".. How come no one would change in a Massachusettes minute or Florida, New Mexico, or Arizona minute? In quiring minds would like to know /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

RoyJackson · Jun 27, 2004

I'm going to make a guess here..

The pace of life in New York City (which I think that cliche refers to rather then the state) is quite a bit faster then in a more rural setting. So, something done quickly would be done "in a New York Minute".

Of course, we rural folks gotta walk those "country miles", don't we?

Hakim · Jun 27, 2004

"New York Minute

A New York minute is an instant. Or as Johnny Carson once said, it's the interval between a Manhattan traffic light turning green and the guy behind you honking his horn.

It appears to have originated in Texas around 1967. It is a reference to the frenzied and hectic pace of New Yorkers' lives. A New Yorker does in an instant what a Texan would take a minute to do.

The term has a mildly derogatory tinge to it; although New Yorkers are probably proud of the characteristic and would forgive your using it with a simple fuggedaboutit!

Word OriginsWebsite

Hmmm. So, it appears that BIRD invented that phrase. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

LarryRB · Jun 27, 2004

"Hmmm. So, it appears that BIRD invented that phrase. "

SEE! I knew deep down that Bird would instigate something along these lines. So it was him,, huh. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

JTC · Jun 28, 2004

Time scale across the US:

New York Minute = 5 seconds

Massachusetts Minute = 30 seconds

Florida Minute (South) = 45 seconds
(North) = 75 seconds

New Mexico Minute = 120 seconds

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Jim