{"id":8811,"date":"2022-09-08T00:59:03","date_gmt":"2022-09-08T00:59:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/?p=8811"},"modified":"2022-09-08T00:59:03","modified_gmt":"2022-09-08T00:59:03","slug":"coons-age-meaning","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/english-grammar-lessons.com\/coons-age-meaning\/","title":{"rendered":"Coon\u2019s Age \u2013 Meaning, Origin and Usage"},"content":{"rendered":"
Feeling as old as dirt is pretty normal, but there are a few more fun phrases that can express the same sentiment. If you've ever heard someone say they feel \"as old as a coon's age,\" you might have wondered what in the world that means. Well, wonder no more! We're here to give you the lowdown on this intriguing phrase. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression.<\/p>\n
The phrase \"coon's age\" describes an extended period. It often refers to a time longer than what is considered average or typical. It is often used to express how long someone has been waiting for something or how long ago something happened. For example, you might say, \"I've been waiting for this bus for a coon's age!\" to express your frustration at the delay.<\/strong><\/p>\n It was once thought that raccoons live for a very long time. There is no exact explanation for how this assumption came to be, only that it was well-known. The term \u201ccoon\u201d is a shortened form of the word raccoon. A \u201ccoons age\u201d further refers to a long period of time, as was assumed to be the length of a raccoon's life. Natural raccoons only live for about three years in actuality, which made the phrase obsolete in terms of modern usage.<\/p>\n When someone says, \"That'll take a coon's age,\" they say it will take a very long time. The phrase is most likely derived from the idea of a raccoon being an exceptionally long-lived animal. Raccoons in captivity have been known to live for over 20 years, so it's no surprise that this creature has come to symbolize a long and healthy life.<\/p>\n While the exact origins of the phrase are unknown, it's safe to say it's been around for quite some time. The first recorded use of \"as old as a coon's age\" dates back to 1834, although it's likely that the phrase was used informally long before then. At this time, the word \"coon\" was used to describe a type of animal but also had racist connotations against African Americans. The phrase is still used today but is not considered offensive.<\/p>\nExample Usage<\/h2>\n
\n
Origin<\/h2>\n