THE term ‘for a generation’ must be used for any vague but long-sounding period of time, experts have confirmed.
The phrase, which covers how long Labour will be out of power, how long it will take to defeat ISIS and the length of time it will take caramel to stop being salted, is expected to remain common currency for however long a generation is.
Journalist Helen Archer said: “Yesterday I wrote that there hadn’t been a new Libertines album for a generation and nobody questioned it.
“It’s great, because it sounds really heavy and portentous like an ancient curse but it can actually just mean like nine years or so.
“Though, with people having kids later, a generation could now last much, much longer than a generation. Which is why, in my new piece, I’ve said that the new Star Wars will redefine the franchise for generations to come.”
Gardener Bill McKay said: “Yesterday I was stuck in traffic lights for a generation, then when I got to work there were no tea bags so I couldn’t have a hot drink for a generation.
“I went to the shop to get some but there was a long queue so I ended up waiting for a generation.
“At least it seemed like a generation, it was actually about ten minutes.”
