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The word Americans use to promise a flight delay will end soon, and Brits to swear it'll begin.

means For a moment, brieflyor, in American usage, in a moment, very soon.

from From Latin momentum (movement, instant) plus the adverb-making -ly; the for-a-moment sense came first, the in-a-moment sense crept in around 1869.

Atlantic divideBrits mean briefly, Americans mean soon.
Usage panelsOnce scolded the soon sense as wrong.
Airline stapleWe will be landing momentarily — pick your meaning.
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