Call you back in five/come back in ten...

Question

Am I watching too many films or is this getting really bad with the skipping off the end of sentences in American English?

I am seeing this all the time now.

See you in five! (minutes)

Call you in ten ! (minutes).

Is that quite standard or has this come about lately? I never noticed that before.

Answer 1

Only yesterday, I had a friend email me and ask, "Can you do me a solid?" I was confused for hours, until I told ANOTHER friend about this mysterious question, and she told me that the question means, "Can you do me a solid favor?"

VERY strange. But to be honest, I've always liked how informal language pushes speaking practices into new directions.

That term is most often used by law enforcement type, when I've ever heard it used. - cheeseisyummy, Sep 23, 2009

I think that I first heard it on NYPD Blue. - jack17, Sep 23, 2009

Answer 2

Isn't this just another way our languages continuously evolve?

Yus. - cheeseisyummy, Sep 21, 2009

Answer 3

It certainly seems to be Nikki, I am watching lots of movies in summer as we are on holiday, and today I watched "Final destination", spooky, jeje, well they said that like ALL the time! I was surprised, I had not noticed that before. I am wondering if this a rather new thing or has this always been said ?

Its old, been said since I can remember. - cheeseisyummy, Sep 21, 2009

Answer 4

It's common in America; I'm not particularly fond of it. But, I tend to say "See you in a little bit."

Yes, but that really isn´t cutting a sentence short. You could be saying much worse. :) - NikkiLR, Sep 18, 2009

Answer 5

I agree with Nikkis, it is not new. Another colloquialism you may hear sometimes is: "See you in a few." (I will see you in a few minutes).

Good one..I forgot about that one. I hear this a lot. - --Mariana--, Sep 18, 2009

Yes, I forgot about that one. - NikkiLR, Sep 18, 2009

Answer 6

Heidi, I don't think it's particuliarly new or particuliarly uncommon. It doesn't sound strange at all to my American ears, but it does sound very informal.

Answer 7

What the..what is this? Oh my god, run outside and check the sky people, it must be falling. Hedita..ASKING a question on the message board? Gasp The universe makes no sense to me anymore.

-Charlius-

Answer 8

Yes, people do talk like that sometimes. I think it's something new going on. It seems like some people are too rushed to bother with complete sentences.

I don't like it!

I mean, from context one knew what they were talking about, but really, that sounds weird. - 00494d19, Sep 18, 2009

It sounds like they don't have time to talk to you....always in such a rush. - --Mariana--, Sep 18, 2009

Answer 9

Well I am not sure how long people have been talking like that, but it is not new.

Answer 10

Yes,

It is fairly common. I hear people talk like that, usually like your examples...

" Call you back in ten "

I hate that. I think it sounds odd.