General
donkey years
What does donkey years mean?
An expression meaning a very long time, ages.
"I ain't see you in donkey years!"
Origin
Pan-Caribbean; from British dialect ('donkey's years').
Frequently asked questions
What does donkey years mean?
It means a very long time — ages, as in 'I ain't see you in donkey years!'
Where does donkey years come from?
It derives from British dialect ('donkey's years'), a pun on the length of a donkey's ears, and carried into Caribbean speech.
How do you use donkey years?
You use it to emphasise a long gap, especially since you last saw someone or did something.
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Vocabulary Flow — saved to your collection.
