Meaning of backlog

[Tamara]

Could you explain the exact meaning of the very end of the sentence (from my today’s e-mail correspondence):

"Sorry about the delay - our secretary is on holiday - back on 22nd but, no doubt, a backlog."
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It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…

[Yankee]

Hi Tamara

I assume you know that a backlog is an accumulation of unfinished work.

It sounds to me as if they want to tell you that, because their secretary is on holiday (and won't be back until the 22nd), a lot of work has piled up and that's why there has been a delay.

Of course, that also means that there will be a backlog of work waiting for the secretary when she returns, so it will also take her some time to get everything caught up.

Amy

[Tamara]

Thanks, Amy.

So, following the sentence and your (clear) interpretation, I should expect that the secretary would be able to contact me even later than she actually will return to work.
And just to arm myself with patience

Right?

P.S. As this concerns to a quite important affair, I need to have clear understanding of the true phrase meaning and the tone used.
(Sometimes I can hardly understand all that juggling with words in formal letters. And theirs 'implicit meaning(s)').
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It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…

[Yankee]

Hi Tamara

I'd say the tone sounds "stressed". In other words, not enough time to even write a respectable sentence.

My experience with companies, backlogs and vacations tells me that you won't get whatever it is you're waiting for immediately after the 22nd. The sentence seems to indicate that as well. So, yes, it's probably best to steel yourself for some further delay, and hope that the further delay is minimal.

If it's really important, it might be best not to wait for the secretary to get around to contacting you. It might be better to contact her again after the 22nd. (Applicable expression: "The squeaky wheel gets the grease." )

Good luck!
Amy

[Alan]

Hi Tamara,

Very often the word backlog is used as a lame excuse for not being able to cope. It's on a par with another irritating expression: Our computers are down at the moment. On a more mundane level people say: We've been rushed off our feet or We have been inundated or Demand has far outstripped supply and so on and so on. There is a backlog is an anodyne word that unfortunately covers a multitude of sins and issues a warning: There will be a delay.

Alan
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English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Relative Pronoun

[Conchita]

[Yankee]

[Fan Of Arabian Horses]

[Conchita]

Next winter (or as soon as our brains start functioning normally again, if they can be patched up at all) we're just going to laugh about all the posts we're sending now -- you mark my words !

[Yankee]

[Tamara]

Hi!
Thanks to you all for your brainstorming!

I’ve read all your interpretations carefully - and now I feel me armed at (almost) all points (heeled?)

Really I can wait till next Tuesday , so… it remains to be seen, what happens next.
I just need to understand whether they play for time or really unable to cope.

P.S. Just to keep up and tuppence the summer brain-sizzling:

On the one side – "Power depends on Patience" (c) horseman’ wisdom from Michael

On the other - "Don’t forget to water your garden"
but
"Do not put all your eggs in one basket."


Tamara
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It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…

[Tamara]

[Conchita]

[Tamara]

Hmm… We seem to be moving in the right direction, don't we?
(And the topic is becoming more and more potential and perspective )

Great list! Thank you, Conchita.

Well,
…
He…
…is a little weak upstairs
…’s touched in the upper storey
…has a tile loose
...

P.S. Ladies and gentlemen, if someone would like to enrich the topic, don’t hesitate, welcome!
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It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water…

[Fan Of Arabian Horses]