coon's age

[ koonz-eyj ]

/ ˈkunz ˌeɪdʒ /

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Definition of coon's age

noun Informal.

a long time: I haven't seen you in a coon's age!

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Origin of coon's age

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45; coon (in the sense “raccoon”) + age (from the folk belief that raccoons are long-lived)

usage note for coon's age

Coon is a shortened form of raccoon. Although a wild raccoon survives only 2 or 3 years on average, the phrase coon's age arose from the mistaken belief that these animals can live a long time. We still use the similar expression donkey's years, but coon's age has declined in use because coon is also a highly insulting term used to refer to a Black person.

Words nearby coon's age

coon cheese, coon dog, cooner, coonhound, Coon Rapids, coon's age, coonskin, coontie, coony, coop, cooper

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use coon's age in a sentence

However much we gossip about heterosexual couples with large age gaps, we at least refrain from calling them sex offenders.
Freaking Out About Age Gaps in Gay Relationships Is Homophobic|Samantha Allen|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
In straight relationships with an age gap, words like ‘gold-digger’ and ‘trophy wife’ get thrown around.
Freaking Out About Age Gaps in Gay Relationships Is Homophobic|Samantha Allen|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Doctors have long wrestled with the age of consent when it comes to mature adolescents.
Should Teens Have The Right To Die?|Brandy Zadrozny|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
You have to acknowledge your age and position in life, for me quite a lot of those emotionally fueled songs were hormone songs.
Belle & Sebastian Aren’t So Shy Anymore|James Joiner|January 7, 2015|DAILY BEAST

The copilot on Flight 8501 was Remi Emmanuel Piesel, 46, who despite his age had just 2,275 hours of flying experience.
Annoying Airport Delays Might Prevent You From Becoming the Next AirAsia 8501|Clive Irving|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Here began indeed, in the drab surroundings of the workshop, in the silent mystery of the laboratory, the magic of the new age.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
The Rev. Alonzo Barnard, seventy-one years of age, accompanied by his daughter, was present.
Among the Sioux|R. J. Creswell
In a warlike age this peacefulness of a monarch was the great and supernatural phenomenon.
Solomon and Solomonic Literature|Moncure Daniel Conway
He began his military career at the age of 11, and continued in the service nearly 60 years.
The Every Day Book of History and Chronology|Joel Munsell
His hair was darker—almost brown save at the temples, where age had faded it to an ashen colour.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for coon's age

coon's age

noun

US slang a long time

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with 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.

coon's age

Definition of coon's age

Origin of coon's age

usage note for coon's age

Words nearby coon's age

Words related to coon's age

How to use coon's age in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for coon's age

Other Idioms and Phrases with coon's age