🦝 “A Coon’s Age: Longevity in Language” ⏳
Coon’s age, a: A long time. This quirky American expression, whose origins date back to the early 19th century, is rooted in the mistaken belief that raccoons (or “coons”) live for an impressively long duration. Spoiler alert: they don’t. Yet, raccoons’ fur, known for its durability and widely used since colonial times, might be the fuzzy explanation for this idiom.
Related Terms and Similar Expressions:
- Donkey’s years: Another expression denoting a long period.
- Eons: An indefinite, very long period of time.
- A dog’s age: Much like its raccoon counterpart but with a canine twist, pointing to a long time.
Proverbs featuring longevity:
- “Good things come to those who wait.”
- “Patience is a virtue.”
Synonyms:
- Ages
- Eternity
- A long stretch
Antonyms:
- A jiffy
- A blink of an eye
Fun-filled Quotes:
- “It feels like I’ve been waiting on you for a coon’s age!” - A frustrated friend waiting for another to get ready.
Suggested Reads:
- The Long Valley by John Steinbeck: Explore narratives that feel like they traverse over long durations.
- Raccoon’s Last Race: A Traditional Abenaki Story by Joseph Bruchac and James Bruchac: Delve into raccoon mythology and their tales.
Musical Ventures:
- “Time in a Bottle” by Jim Croce: An iconic song about encapsulating fleeting, precious moments.
- “100 Years” by Five For Fighting: A song exploring the length and brevity of human life.
Movie Buffs Alert:
- Forrest Gump: It’s all about events happening over what can feel like “a coon’s age.”
- The Curious Case of Benjamin Button: A unique take on aging and time passing in reverse.
### Which other term "means a long time" like "a coon’s age"?
- [x] Donkey’s years
- [ ] Kangaroo's leap
- [ ] Parrot’s chatter
- [ ] Fish's swim
> **Explanation:** "Donkey’s years" shares the same sentiment of passing an extensive period, much like "a coon’s age".
### Which of these isn’t a true synonym of "a coon's age"?
- [x] A blink of an eye
- [ ] Ages
- [ ] Eternity
- [ ] A long stretch
> **Explanation:** "A blink of an eye" implies a very short amount of time, the direct opposite of "a coon’s age".
### True or False: The expression "a coon’s age" originated from the belief that raccoons have short lifespans.
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** "A coon’s age" originated from a mistaken belief that raccoons live a long time, thus denoting a long period.
May you always find time racing by pleasantly, and may waiting a “coon’s age” be a thing only in stories. Until next time!
Inspirational Farewell:
“Time flies over us, but leaves its shadow behind.” – Nathaniel Hawthorne
