coon's age: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowInformal, colloquial
Quick answer
What does “coon's age” mean?
A very long time.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very long time
An extremely extended period, often used to emphasize how long something has been
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Predominantly American English; rarely used in British English
Connotations
In the US, often considered folksy or dated; in the UK, unfamiliar or archaic
Frequency
Much more common historically in American English; current usage is limited and may be avoided
Grammar
How to Use “coon's age” in a Sentence
It's been a coon's age since + clausenot seen/had something for/in a coon's ageVocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used
Academic
Not used
Everyday
Limited informal use among older speakers in some American regions
Technical
Not used
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “coon's age”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “coon's age”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “coon's age”
- Using plural ('coons' ages')
- Using in formal contexts
- Misinterpreting as a short time
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It can be considered offensive or dated due to its etymological connection to a racial slur, though the idiom itself references a raccoon. Many modern speakers avoid it.
No, it is strictly informal and colloquial, and its use is generally discouraged in contemporary English.
It is primarily an American English expression and is rarely used or understood in British English.
Neutral alternatives include 'ages', 'a long time', 'an eternity', or 'forever'.
A very long time.
Coon's age: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkuːnz ˌeɪdʒ/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkuːnz ˌeɪdʒ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “in a coon's age”
- “for a coon's age”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a raccoon living an exceptionally long life to remember something from 'a coon's age' ago.
Conceptual Metaphor
AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME IS THE LIFESPAN OF AN ANIMAL (with hyperbolic exaggeration)
Practice
Quiz
"A coon's age" means: