Meaning of 'hurry up and wait' ?

[bruce bowser]

Especially, why hurry when waiting to wait?11

[Chrysi Cat]

On 8/18/2020 5:25 PM, bruce bowser wrote:
> Especially, why hurry when waiting to wait?11
>

Just early- XX. century American irony.

"You'll be waiting for a long time, but you need to start now", so far
as I can tell.

There can be an overtone of "if you /don't/ start actively waiting
(without doing much else) now, getting in line later will only make the
wait AFTER you begin doing so even LONGER than it was at this time", as
well.

--
Chrysi Cat
1/2 anthrocat, nearly 1/2 anthrofox, all magical
Transgoddess, quick to anger.
Call me Chrysi or call me Kat, I'll respond to either!

[Lewis]

In message <Gg4%G.137814$9r7.1...@fx07.iad> Chrysi Cat <chry...@gmail.com> wrote:
> On 8/18/2020 5:25 PM, bruce bowser wrote:
>> Especially, why hurry when waiting to wait?11
>>

> Just early- XX. century American irony.

> "You'll be waiting for a long time, but you need to start now", so far
> as I can tell.

If you want to renew your license you need to get to the DMV as early
as possible, and then wait two hours or so, the very definition of hurry
up and wait.

> There can be an overtone of "if you /don't/ start actively waiting
> (without doing much else) now, getting in line later will only make the
> wait AFTER you begin doing so even LONGER than it was at this time", as
> well.

Exactly.

--
"I can't marry her; she's my friend!"

[soup]

On 19/08/2020 00:25, bruce bowser wrote:
> Especially, why hurry when waiting to wait?11
>

Ask the British Army.

For years (decades, centuries) They have been saying it.

Usually several aspects have to come together(say infantry and bridge
layers) before anything happens. No-one wants to be the aspect that
causes a delay so they all (both Infantry and bridge layers in this
case) rush (hurry up) to be ready and subsequently they are too early
for the event to happen, so they do nothing (wait) until the prearranged
start time .
Hence 'hurry up and wait' .

Same idea as getting to an interview twenty minutes early (Hurry up)and
standing outside (wait)for that twenty minutes .
So you are punctual but allowing for unforeseen events.