Donkey’s Years – Idiom of the Day

Donkey’s Years – Idiom of the Day

Meaning:

A very long time.

Origin:

The phrase apparently originated in the early 20th century, referring to the long ears of a donkey. It first appeared in a 1916 novel, With Jellicoe in the North Sea, by Frank Hubert Shaw:

“This isn’t a battleship war at all; it’s a destroyer-submarine-light cruiser show. They’ll never come out in donkey’s years, not they. They know jolly well we shall scupper ’em if they so much as dare to show their noses outside the wet triangle.”

Usage:

1. I’m looking forward to seeing my cousins; I haven’t seen them in donkey’s years.
2. I have wanted to buy this book for donkey’s years.
3. I’m so excited for tonight’s opera. I have wanted to see The Magic Flute for donkey’s years.
4. I lived in Manchester once, but I haven’t been back there in donkey’s years.
5. I haven’t been to a live concert in donkey’s years. I can’t take it anymore!
6. This is the first time I’m going on a date in donkey’s years. I hope I don’t mess it up!
7. It has been donkey’s years since I have been on a boat. Let’s see if I can still sail.
8. I haven’t gone hiking in donkey’s years, not since the baby came. And I miss it.
9. I can’t believe it’s been donkey’s years since I had a good cheeseburger!