set-timeout-only-on-hover.js

$(function() {
    var timeout;
    $('#contact').hover(start, stop);

    function start() {
        stop();
        run();
    }
    
    function stop() {
        clearTimeout(timeout);
    }
    
    function run() {
        if (!$('#contact span.content').is(":visible")) {
            return;
        }
        timeout = setTimeout(run, 500);
        // whatever
    }
});