meaning of "...it would take a hot minute..."

[English_holic]

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #291 "English Slang Idioms (13)", question 5

He knew it would take a hot ......... to get his paperwork processed by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

(a) time
(b) day
(c) potato
(d) minute

English Language Tests, Intermediate level

ESL/EFL Test #291 "English Slang Idioms (13)", answer 5

He knew it would take a hot minute to get his paperwork processed by the Department of Motor Vehicles.

Correct answer: (d) minute

Your answer was: incorrect
He knew it would take a hot time to get his paperwork processed by the Department of Motor Vehicles.
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Hi
What's the meaning of "...it would take a hot minute..."?
Thanks,

Englishholic

[MrPedantic]

Hello E.,

It seems to mean "intense activity within a very short period of time".

Best wishes,

MrP

[Yankee]

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It is my understanding that this slang expression ("hot minute") is currently used to mean either "a long period of time" or "a very short period of time".

However, based on my experience with the Department of Motor Vehicles in several different states here in the US, I assume that "take a hot minute" is intended to mean "take a long time" in this sentence.
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Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English

[MrPedantic]

That makes more sense.

[diverhank]

Is this a new slang? I must admit I had never heard of this before ???

[Yankee]

Hi DH

I'd never heard it before, either, so I did some research online and also asked around. In my neck of the woods, some people thought they remembered having heard it somewhere, but could not tell me for sure whether it means "a long time" or "a short time". The expression does not seem to be one that is in widespread use in my area.

My online research suggested that of the people who'd heard the expression, many either weren't sure of or disagreed on the meaning. Of the people who say they're sure of the meaning, more apparently think it means "a long period of time" or "a while" (though there are also people who seem to be equally sure it means "a short time"). The three people who have posted definitions in the Urban Dictionary also suggest "a long period of time" or "a while".

Just out of curiosity, do you associate the idea of paperwork completion at the DMV with the idea of bureaucratic sluggishness? Or have you been more fortunate?
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Amy
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ESL teacher, translator, and a native speaker of American English