2006-09-14 21:46:06 · 17 answers · asked by Nigel G 1 in Education & Reference ➔ Words & Wordplay
The term donkeys years explained:-
It’s a pun on donkey’s ears, they being long. The phrase, meaning a long time, is chiefly in British use, though known in the USA and elsewhere, and was first recorded in 1916 as donkey’s ears (which is why we’re sure about the punning origin). Within ten years or so it is recorded in the modern form. The idea was supported by the belief that donkeys did in fact live a very long time.
There you go, bit more useless info for you!!!
2006-09-15 03:28:15 · answer #1 · answered by Mizz Julie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is all the confusion about? The saying simply means that I have not seen a donkey like that person in http://www.donkeysyears.com/ so where does the question of "Years" or "Ears" arise at all?
A smile for the asker of the question and the phrase refers to a long passage of time since you saw that person because donkeys are very forgetful (so it has been said) and may take years to come back to you if they have lost the way and an equally long time to do something they have been asked to do because that's how long it takes them to do it or understand it
2006-09-14 22:02:14 · answer #2 · answered by DemonInLove 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Donkeys live between 30-40 years.
2006-09-14 21:56:11 · answer #3 · answered by Catwhiskers 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
as long as a donkey's ears is the origin but it's confused by the fact that donkeys can be quite long-lived so a donkey's years can be quite a lot, too.
2006-09-14 21:59:14 · answer #4 · answered by Michael E 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
There are 2 theories about how this saying came into being:-
(1) It is a corruption of "Donkey's ears"
(2) Donkeys are famous for their longevity
2006-09-14 21:57:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a donkeys ear is about 5 inches long
2006-09-14 21:48:22 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A very long time! The Urban Dictionary says a gazillion years...
2016-03-27 02:06:23 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I always thought "donkeys ears" was rhyming slang for years!!
2006-09-14 21:49:12 · answer #8 · answered by h b 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No definite time.It simply means for a long time. And how long is long depends on the individual saying it.
2006-09-14 21:53:18 · answer #9 · answered by Samyo A. 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it's donkeys ears , but i still nose you
2006-09-14 21:51:06 · answer #10 · answered by Gandalf 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋