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donkey's years

A long time.

Etymology:

  • 1923, from donkey's ears, which is rhyming slang for years. That is, donkey's ears is rhyming slang, replacing years with ears, while donkey's years reverts to years, with donkey acting as emphasis. “Donkey’s ears” implies “a long time” because donkey’s ears are long, while “donkey’s years” is supported by the belief that donkeys live a long time.
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Submitted on September 01, 2009

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Nearby phrases

Some more phrases from our dictionary similar to donkey's years

I am twenty years oldsalad yearsgolden yearsnot in a million yearson like Donkey Kongfour score and seven years agoroll back the yearsI'm twenty years oldgolden yearsdonkey's earsdonkey workfour score and seven years agohung like a donkeyheavy as a dead donkey

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