A New York minute is an instant. Or as Johnny Carson once said, it's the interval between a Manhattan traffic light turning green and the guy behind you honking his horn.

It appears to have originated in Texas around 1967. It is a reference to the frenzied and hectic pace of New Yorkers' lives. A New Yorker does in an instant what a Texan would take a minute to do.

A man who messes around with other men, but no one would ever know by looking or talking to him. Used by gay black men to identify masculine gay men or DL Brothas.

The smallest measurable amount of time in the universe. Approximately equal to the time between a traffic light turning green in New York City and the cab driver behind you honking his horn.

An imaginary measurement of time that indicates an extreme quickness. Lending itself to the fast-paced lifestyle associated with New York City.

A very short period of time; within a blink or a heartbeat. Originates from the legendary fast pace of life in New York.

1. taken from the general belief that everything in new york moves faster than the rest of the world, hence a new york minute is more like a split second
2. a split second
3. a quick moment

A split second; a turnaround.