How Long Will It Last?

I had an unexpectedly hilarious word breakdown with a customer yesterday, and it had us both laughing.

Shortly after I loaned my reading glasses to one customer who had left her glasses in the car, I was helping another customer who wanted to buy some pepperoni for her vegan friend.

I explained about the pepperoni being served in small, medium, or large containers.

After I explained that, she asked me, "How long will it last?"

I launched into a long explanation about how some people eat the pepperoni as a snack or use it on pizza or in a sandwich.

"It really just depends on how quickly you eat it," I said with self-assurance.

She looked a little shell-shocked and then said, "I meant how long will it stay good."

Then it was my turn to look stunned and then we both burst into laughter.

Another classic misconnect in the English language.