The origin of the phrase is a bit murky and has a couple of different interpretations:
1. The Practical Interpretation:
* This interpretation suggests that "New York minute" comes from the sheer volume of things happening in the city, where people constantly juggle multiple tasks and obligations.
* In this sense, a "New York minute" might be the amount of time it takes to get from one thing to the next, or to complete a quick task in the bustling city.
2. The Literal Interpretation:
* Some say the phrase originated from a specific incident: the old ticker-tape machines in the stock exchange.
* These machines displayed stock prices rapidly, changing every minute. This constant, rapid change created a sense of urgency and fueled the idea of a short, fleeting time unit.
* The phrase "New York minute" might have come from the fast pace of these machines, capturing the "minute-by-minute" intensity of financial trading.
3. The "It's all relative" Interpretation:
* It's also possible that the phrase evolved organically, as a way for New Yorkers to express their experience of time in the city.
* The fast pace of life, the constant movement, and the general feeling of urgency could have contributed to a perception that time moves faster in New York City.
Ultimately, the exact origin of "New York minute" is unknown. Regardless of its precise genesis, the phrase has become a popular and enduring way to describe the fast-paced nature of New York City life.