donkey's years

English

Alternative forms

donkeys' years

Etymology

1876 or earlier. Possibly chosen because donkeys can be long-lived animals.^[1] Despite the similarity, pre-dates and likely not directly related to donkey's ears, a less frequently used rhyming slang term for years.^[1]

Pronunciation

Audio (General Australian): (file)

Noun

donkey 's years pl (plural only)

(UK, Ireland, Commonwealth, idiomatic) A long time, years and years.
- 1876, The Salisbury Times:^[1]
  Didn't you ask him how long it had been in his possession?
  I can't recollect that. I might have done so.
  Didn't he say for years and years and donkey's years?
- 1923, The Bridgeport Telegram:
  With a heavy make-up, you’ll be the cutest vamp I’ve seen in donkey’s years.

References

↑ ^1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 Gary Martin (1997–) “Donkey's years”, in The Phrase Finder, retrieved 21 August 2023.

Michael Quinion (April 15, 2000) “Donkey’s years”, in World Wide Words.

[pf-1] 1.0 ^1.1 ^1.2 Gary Martin (1997–) “Donkey's years”, in The Phrase Finder, retrieved 21 August 2023.

[1]