In a Coon’s Age
In Southern and Appalachian speech, in a coon’s age means "in a very long time" - comparing the wait to the long life of a raccoon.
#SouthernSayings #Appalachia #Animals #Time #OldTimers #Southern #FarmTalk
synonyms: long time, ages, forever
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I'd say that 'in a coon’s age' is more rural and old timers - I don't hear it as much as I did growin' up. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I'd say that 'in a coon’s age' is more rural and old timers - I don't hear it as much as I did growin' up. Pronunciation
[KOONZ-ayj] /ˈkuːnz eɪdʒ/
Meaning & Usage
- In a very long time (saying/adverbial phrase)
Bobby:
How you been? Ain’t seen you in a coon’s age.
How you been? Ain’t seen you in a coon’s age.
Jerry:
I know it - been too long.
I know it - been too long.variations: in a coon’s age, ain’t seen you in a coon’s age, not in a coon’s age
★ Southerners and Appalachians use "in a coon’s age" the way others might say "in a dog’s age" or "in forever" - it’s a colorful time marker. ★
Origin and Etymology
An old Southern and Appalachian expression dating back to the early 19th century. The "coon" here refers to a raccoon, which was thought to live a long time, making it a handy way to measure an extended absence.
Usage Notes
- In a coon’s age - means a very long time since something happened ("I haven’t been to the fair in a coon’s age.")
- Common greeting or small-talk phrase, often when seeing someone after many months or years.
- Parallels other idioms comparing time spans to animals ("in a dog’s age," "in a donkey’s years").
- Still recognized as a nostalgic Southernism, especially among older speakers.
- Works in positive or neutral contexts - "I haven’t had a biscuit this good in a coon’s age."
Kin Topics
Related Pages
How to Cite This Page
- APA (7th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 25). In a Coon’s Age. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/in-a-coons-age
- MLA (9th edition)"The Hillbilly Dude." "In a Coon’s Age." HillbillySlang.com, 25 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/in-a-coons-age.
- Chicago (17th edition)The Hillbilly Dude. "In a Coon’s Age." HillbillySlang.com. September 25, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/sayings/in-a-coons-age.
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Created by The Hillbilly Dude, this site is a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia but reaching across the world. Every slang word, saying, accent and story is gathered from first-hand experience and trusted sources. The goal: preserve authentic voices and share them with writers, learners, and culture lovers everywhere - with a little humor thrown in here and there. Read more...