coon's age



coon's age

Also, a dog's age. A very long time, as in I haven't seen Sam in a coon's age, or It's been a dog's age since I went to the ballpark. The first phrase rests on the mistaken idea that raccoons ("coons") live a long time. The variant may reflect a similar assumption but the true origin is not known. [c. 1835] Also see donkey's years.
See also: age

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
Felicjafe-LEETS-yahPolish
CyranoSIR-ə-no (English)Literature
Mateu-Catalan
BrittnyBRIT-neeEnglish (Modern)
EdwinED-win (English), ED-win (Dutch), ED-vin (Dutch)English, Dutch
Oralee-English (Rare)