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.

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.

Jerry:

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

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.

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."

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Common Questions

What does "in a coon’s age" mean?

It’s a Southern/Appalachian way to say "in a very long time."

Does "coon" here mean raccoon?

Yes - it refers to a raccoon’s long life, not anything else.

Is it still used today?

Yes - mainly among older Southerners, but widely understood in the region.

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