Month of SundaysIn Appalachian and Southern speech, "a month of Sundays" means never, or at least not for a very long time. It’s an exaggerated way of saying something won’t happen anytime soon. Hillbilly Dude Says... Hillbilly Dude Says... Pronunciation[uh MUHNTH uhv SUHN-deez] Meaning & Usage- Never / Not Anytime Soon (idiom)
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variations: a month of Sundays, month of Sundays, not in a month of Sundays ★ When someone says "not in a month of Sundays," don’t take it literally. It’s just a colorful way of saying "never" - though with a smile instead of bitterness. ★ Origin and EtymologyThe phrase goes back to at least the 18th century in Britain, where it was used humorously to mean a ridiculously long time. Appalachia carried it forward, using it in everyday talk and storytelling. Usage Notes"A month of Sundays" is still recognized across the U.S., but in Appalachia it keeps a folksy edge. You’ll hear it in jokes, tall tales, and when someone wants to poke fun at how unlikely something is. Say It Like a SouthernerSay it plain: "a month of Sundays." Drawn out in a storyteller’s tone, it adds extra weight to the exaggeration. | ...
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