"mind the time"

Posted by Victoria S Dennis on November 27, 2005

In Reply to: "mind the time" posted by ESC on November 27, 2005

: : : What is the origin of the phrase "mind the time" meaning "remember"? Is it Irish or American?

: : Not a common American usage. Sounds a lot more like a bartender's "pay attention; it's almost closing time. Last call."

: I (from the U.S.) have heard it used in this way, to pay attention to, understand. "Mind you don't knock over the lamp." "Now, mind, he didn't have to do that."

: Merriam-Webster online:

: Main Entry: 2mind
: Function: verb
: transitive senses
: 1 chiefly dialect : REMIND
: 2 chiefly dialect : REMEMBER
: 3 : to attend to closely
: 4 a : to become aware of : NOTICE : to regard with attention : consider important -- often used in the imperative with following you for emphasis. I'm not against inspiration, mind you; I simply refuse to sit and stare at a blank page waiting for it -- Dennis Whitcomb> b chiefly dialect : INTEND, PURPOSE
: 5 a : to give heed to attentively in order to obey b : to follow the orders or instructions of
: 6 a : to be concerned about b : DISLIKE. I don't mind going.
: 7 a : to be careful : SEE Mind you finish it. b : to be cautious about Mind the broken rung.
: 8 : to give protective care to : TEND
: intransitive senses
: 1 : to be attentive or wary
: 2 : to become concerned : CARE
: 3 : to pay obedient heed or attention
: - mind·er noun

"Mind" means "remember" in Scots - and also Nothern Irish Protestant dialect which has a lot of Scots input - so you get phrases like "I mind the time when..." (VSD)

• "mind the time" Bob 27/November/05