CP Time

CP Time

English

Etymology

Partial abbreviation of Colored People's Time, based on a treatment of it as a time zone.

Noun

CP Time (uncountable)

1. (US, dated derogatory slang, sometimes reclaimed) Synonym of Colored People's Time.
   • 2016 April 12, James Taranto, "Best of the Web: Hillary Aims at Hilarity" in the Wall Street Journal:

     Mrs. Clinton: Thanks for the endorsement, Bill. Took you long enough.
     De Blasio: Sorry, Hillary. I was running on CP time...
     Mrs. Clinton: Cautious politician time. I’ve been there.
     ...if your keyboard is still dry, CNN has the explanation: “ ‘CP Time’—also known as ‘colored people’s time’—is a stereotype about African-Americans running late.”

Alternative forms

• CP time