Just Now

[A. Vine]

Amy Speed wrote:
>
> My South African friend uses the phrase "just now" to mean "soon" (e.g.,
> Dinner will be ready just now.). I, as an American, use the phrase to mean
> "very recently" (e.g., When did it happen? Just now!). I am interested in
> regional takes on this phrase (I'm from the northern Midwest). Also, what do
> British/commonwealth and Australian dwellers have to say on it?

English folks tend to use "just now" to mean "at this time" or "at the present
time", as well as "in the very recent past" (from my Bristolian spouse).  Better
to send a query to the EDIE-CECTAL list (British Isles dialects) for a wider
variety.

Andrea