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.
_________________________

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]

.
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.
.
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[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? :lol:
.
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln

[Kati Svaby]

Please activate Javascript in your browser to listen to this audio recording

72 Listened

Download mp3	Click to listen

Hello
I was looking for this expression but I didn't find in any dictionary only near a Flicr pic:

Setting up shop at the new studio...gonna take a hot minute: so this means that setting up a shop at new studio...it is time consuming/ it takes up a great deal of time/ it is ( may be) a drain on our time/ trespass (up)on our time
_________________
Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.

[Saneta]

a hot minute = a frantic minute ? (the assumption from somebody from USA)

[Beeesneees]

Please see the answer given by Yankee in message #3 above.

This expression does not seem to be in common use right across the English speaking countries of the world.
_________________
"Inside every old person is a young person wondering what happened."
Terry Pratchett

[Kati Svaby]

"It would take a hot minute-expression" - After a long while, it seemed to me unfamiliar.
It can be true the saying : "Practice makes perfect ".as I have read the dispute again and I decided it can mean a "a long period of time" or "a very short period of time".

SO:: a hot minute means for me , ="the long period of time" or "a very short period of time".

Many thanks for the possibility to be able to face with the past.
_________________
Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend.