Use of the word "momentarily"
I was just watching something on TV and it occurred to me that the word "momentarily" might be used in a different way in the US from the UK.
The meaning seemed to be "in a moment" whereas I would always use it to mean "for a moment" e.g. "I stopped momentarily" compared with "he will be here momentarily".
How do you use the word?
Yeah, I keep hearing about this. The original meaning of momentarily is "for a moment". That's the way that older speakers use it exclusively in the US. However, it's also evolved into "in a moment". So, "Thanks for calling. Our operator will be with you momentarily." means that the operator will answer in a moment, and not for a moment.
Rick, you're exactly correct.
Anecdote:
American pilot announced,"We will be landing at Denver momentarily." The American passengers quietly put their newspapers away, while the British passengers got visibly worried looks on their faces.
<<American pilot announced,"We will be landing at Denver momentarily." The American passengers quietly put their newspapers away, while the British passengers got visibly worried looks on their faces.>>
LOL