🐕 A Dog’s Age
Definition:
“A long time.” An American slang term dating from about 1830, this expression doesn’t make a great deal of sense, since the average dog is not especially long-lived. It appeared in print in 1836: “That blamed line gale has kept me in bilboes such a dog’s age” (Knickerbocker magazine).
Synonyms:
- An eternity
- Eons
- Ages
- Donkey’s years
Antonyms:
- A flash
- A nanosecond
- Momentarily
- Tick-tock
Humor-Filled Quotes:
- “I’ve been waiting for my pizza delivery for a dog’s age. I’m considering adopting a faster food mascot, maybe a cheetah?” 🐆
- “Telling someone ‘I haven’t seen you in a dog’s age’ might make them question if they reincarnated… several times.”
Proverbs:
- “Good things come to those who wait.” - Encouraging patience and endurance.
- “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” - Big achievements take time.
Related Expressions:
- “In a New York minute” – A very short period of time, emphasizing the rapid pace of life in NYC.
- “Burning the midnight oil” – Working late into the night.
Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies:
- Literature: “Great Expectations” by Charles Dickens – Classic literature that feels like spanning a dog’s age.
- Books: “The Time Traveler’s Wife” by Audrey Niffenegger – A unique exploration of time and waiting.
- Songs: “Time Is on My Side” by The Rolling Stones – Because time, once again, isn’t infinite.
- Poetry: “If” by Rudyard Kipling – A poem touching on the passage of time and patience.
- Movies: “Interstellar” – Where time, especially in space, feels like it stretches on for a dog’s age.
Intriguing Titles to Dive Into:
- “⌛ Wait a Minute! The Fascinating World of Timeless Idioms ⌛”
- “🧭 Time Flies: Journey Through Temporal Expressions ✈️”
- “📅 A Month of Sundays: Talking Time Idioms and Phrases ☀️”
Quiz Time! Take a Leap into Language Fun
### Which of these idioms also means ‘a long time’?
- [x] Donkey's years
- [ ] Cat’s whiskers
- [ ] Fish out of water
- [ ] Crying over spilled milk
> **Explanation:** "Donkey's years" is a classic idiom referring to a very long time, purportedly due to their extended life spans. The others? Not even close!
### Which phrase denotes a brief period of time?
- [ ] A dog’s age
- [ ] Eons
- [x] A New York minute
- [ ] From here to eternity
> **Explanation:** "A New York minute" signifies a very short time, highlighting the brisk pace associated with New York City.
### True or False: ‘In a dog’s age’ suggests a short span of time.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** "A dog’s age" signifies a long time, contrary to the phrase's somewhat humorous nature given a dog's actual lifespan.
### What's a synonym for 'a dog’s age'?
- [ ] A hop, skip, and a jump
- [ ] Two shakes of a lamb's tail
- [ ] Quicker than a rabbit
- [x] Eons
> **Explanation:** "Eons" is synonymous with a very long time, fitting right in with “a dog’s age.”
### Complete the proverb: "Good things come to those who _______."
- [ ] Hurry
- [x] Wait
- [ ] Wander
- [ ] Wish
> **Explanation:** The proverb "Good things come to those who wait" echoes patience’s virtues, just like enduring for a dog's age.
Here’s to wishing you endless patience and timely fortunes in everything you pursue. Remember, even waiting can lead to wonderful rewards.
📜 W. T. Wittywords
🌟 With words, wisdom, and a bit of whimsy. 🌟
