Suppose somebody coming up for tenure had a book manuscript being considered by a publisher for over a year. And suppose the author ("Wally") put the book on his CV as "forthcoming." But suppose someone powerful in the department ("Professor Peevish") got very angry and said that was deceptive, and was prepared to take steps. This article answers the question on the real meaning of "forthcoming" in the above situation. "Forthcoming" can mean "at the idea stage" or "inchoate." It can be a mote in the mind, a song on the wind, a glimpse of the ineffable not yet reduced to the dry mundanity of words. Wally must placate Peevish. Now it is incumbent upon Wally to take Professor Peevish to lunch, praise the Peevish oeuvre, and do whatever he can to make nice, to curry favor, and to win support for tenure (and the votes of the Peevish clique, if there is one).