T Minus – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Have you ever heard the phrase ‘T minus’ just before hearing a count down or a stated length of time? Well read on, because this article is going to explain everything about what it means and how it originated. And don’t worry, it’s not some weird algebraic formula that you have to decipher.
I’m also going to cover how and when to use the phrase, using a handful of examples, along with some alternative phrases that you can use in its place if you so wish, before rounding off with a conclusion.
And without further ado let’s get straight to it.
What is the meaning of the phrase ‘T minus’?
The phrase ‘T minus’ always precedes a countdown of some sort, usually a countdown of mere seconds rather than minutes, hours or days etc.
The purpose of such countdowns is to convey a sense of urgency, and is used to get people, usually children, to stop messing around and to instead prepare for the task ahead, such as for them to get to their next class. Or to get the class to become less rowdy quickly to avoid being given a class detention.
This countdown system comes from NASA and was famously used for missions into space, where the launch requires a countdown to prepare everyone for what’s to come.
The T stands for the exact time until launch, and it’s common for the T minus countdown to begin up to 10 or 20 seconds prior to the launch.
What is the origin of the phrase ‘T minus’?
The expression ‘T minus’ is derived from the countdown system adopted and used by NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, dating back to the 1960s, when the Space Race was in full swing, and there were frequent missions into space, predominantly starting from the United States of America. This includes the famous Apollo series of missions, and even the first moon landing.
NASA famously used the ‘T minus’ countdown system whenever a rocket or other projectile was propelled into outer space, and this soon became legendary. It has since been used countless times (pun intended!) on films that feature a space mission or that require some form of countdown system, such as in bomb disposal.
How and when can you use the phrase ‘T minus’?
The great thing about the T minus countdown is that its usage is not only useful for the launching of NASA space missions, but can also be used whenever you want to impress the urgency of an instruction.
For instance, parents and caregivers can use a T minus count down whenever they want the kids to stop fighting before being taken for a time out, or some other punishment, or to get kids to put their toys away before their supper.
The phrase demonstrates frustration, but it can also be used by the person speaking it to become more patient themselves by following a countdown before they are driven to act.
Here are some examples of the phrase in use:
- We launch in T minus 20 seconds, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. Launch. Good luck team. We’re right here for you, with you all the way.
- If you’re not ready in 10 seconds we’re going without you. T minus, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, oh finally you’re ready. Let’s go.
- Are you ready to say goodbye to the previous millennium and say hello to the new one? T minus 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 HAPPY NEW MILLENIUM EVERYBODY!
What are some other ways of saying T minus’?
If you don’t want to use the T minus countdown system in conversation or in a video or meme, there are several phrases you can use in it’s place in order to convey the urgency of a matter, or to convey that your patience is being tested. Here are some examples to consider:
- Oh, hurry up will you, I’ve been waiting ages
- Stop keeping us waiting, we’re getting impatient
- Hurry up, you’re taking ages
- Could you possibly take any longer to get ready
- Hurry up or we’ll be late – again
- Get going, you’re making me late
Final word
So, to sum up, the phrase ‘T minus’ precedes a countdown to a specific action. This countdown system was made famous by NASA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, in the 1960s, and has been used in sci-fi films ever since.
That said, the countdown system is not exclusive to NASA or space missions, and you can use it anytime you want to use a countdown system, such as when trying to get someone to hurry up so that they don’t miss the start ot a gig or class etc.
