Similarly, in both South Africa and Zimbabwe, we have the word “soon” and the phrase “soon soon”.
Both of which are absolutely divorced from what the rest of the world thinks.
“I’ll be there soon” = “anytime from 1 minute to a couple of hours, no guarantees”
“I’ll be there soon soon” = “I have not even begun thinking about moving, and even when I do, it will be at some unpredictable time in the mid future, probably several days or weeks.”
We joke about “Africa Time” but being a bit pedantic I always try to be punctual and accurate in my own “I’ll be there in X mins/hours” statements.
“A bit after X” is very similar, a total fabrication or hopelessly inaccurate, and that “bit” could extend to hours.
Somewhat similarly, I got very good at estimating times of arrival, back when I drove a truck. “Due into White River at 1707 hours, pee break, should be into Sault Ste. Marie at 1929 hours.” Barring any traffic problems or construction, I was usually within five minutes of my estimate.
So, for me, “time X” means “within five minutes either way.”
In our house we try to specify whether that’s a basketball minute or a football minute.
As a time-blind ADHDer I never judge anybody for being late. If they knew precisely what time they’d arrive, they’d have named the time. “A bit” to me means, “but there may be forces beyond my control.” If it’s more than a half hour later I’ll be looking for an update though, or at least an assurance that you are all right.
Is the occasion depending on them? There’s a difference if someone told me that’d be at a bar to meet for drinks at a bit after 5 or if they’d be one of 20 people showing up at a holiday get together at a bit after 5. The former I’d say 10-15 minutes and the latter within like an hour.
I employ it not with much concern for how long after “X”, rather it’s my way of attempting to insure that someone arrives not before “X”, before I am ready.
It’s been well discussed on these boards about habitually late people, and I feel your pain and concur, but there are some people in my life that arrive early, stupid early…absurdly early, and that stresses me out.
