gistfile1.rb

def smallest_time(before)
    seconds = Time.now.to_i - before.to_i
    minute = seconds / 60; hour = minute / 60; day = hour / 24
    week = day / 7; month = day / 29; quarter = month / 3; year = quarter / 4
    decade = year / 10; century = decade / 10; millennium = century / 10
    case
        when millennium > 0 then "#{millennium} millennium" + "#{'s' if millennium > 1}"
        when century > 0 then "#{century} centur" + "#{'ies' ? century > 1 : 'y'}"
        when decade > 0 then "#{decade} decade" + "#{'s' if decade > 1}"
        when year > 0 then "#{year} year" + "#{'s' if year > 1}"
        when quarter > 0 then "#{quarter} quarter" + "#{'s' if quarter > 1}"
        when month > 0 then "#{month} month" + "#{'s' if month > 1}"
        when week > 0 then "#{week} week" + "#{'s' if week > 1}"
        when day > 0 then "#{day} day" + "#{'s' if day > 1}"
        when hour > 0 then "#{hour} hour" + "#{'s' if hour > 1}"
        when minute > 0 then "#{minute} minute#{'s' if minute > 1}"
        else "#{seconds} second" + "#{'s' if seconds > 1 || seconds == 0}"
    end
end