Idioms Explained
Viewing comments for Chapter 22 " ... in a 'coon's age"Fanstorians explain the backstory of idioms
29 total reviews
Comment from BethShelby
I'm glad people are still adding to this book. As to the coon's age quote, I've heard that one all my life and I didn't give it much thought. I don't think I've ever used it and I have no idea how black people ever came to be called coons.
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2021
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I'm glad people are still adding to this book. As to the coon's age quote, I've heard that one all my life and I didn't give it much thought. I don't think I've ever used it and I have no idea how black people ever came to be called coons.
Comment Written 13-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2021
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I don't think he reacted as severely as I described--nevertheless, she second-guessed her choice of words--I conjured the scenario to make my point.
People used to think racoons lived a long time--have no clue why!
Comment from royowen
The expression is "I haven't seen you for donkey's years" it's also an Aussie idiom. Calling Jim that was a bit silly, people take themselves a bit too seriously these days, I think the expression is self righteousness, it's about the heart, people remain in their prejudice, no amount of legislation will rid mankind of that. Blessings Roy
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2021
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The expression is "I haven't seen you for donkey's years" it's also an Aussie idiom. Calling Jim that was a bit silly, people take themselves a bit too seriously these days, I think the expression is self righteousness, it's about the heart, people remain in their prejudice, no amount of legislation will rid mankind of that. Blessings Roy
Comment Written 13-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2021
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I don't think he reacted as severely as I described--nevertheless, she second-guessed her choice of words--I conjured the scenario to make my point.
People used to think racoons lived a long time--have no clue why!
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They probably live the same as other similar creatures.
Comment from Begin Again
I remember hearing "in a coon's age" quite often while I was a child, but of course, that was "forever and a day or as Sandra pointed out, "a donkey's ear ago. Now I don't believe I've heard it unless One of my elders might be nearby (which I have be come the elder). Good job!
Hugs, Carol
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2021
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I remember hearing "in a coon's age" quite often while I was a child, but of course, that was "forever and a day or as Sandra pointed out, "a donkey's ear ago. Now I don't believe I've heard it unless One of my elders might be nearby (which I have be come the elder). Good job!
Hugs, Carol
Comment Written 13-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2021
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I don't think he reacted as severely as I described--nevertheless, she second-guessed her choice of words--I conjured the scenario to make my point.
People used to think racoons lived a long time--have no clue why!
Comment from Theodore McDowell
Well done research on an idiom I had never heard before. I love the posts on idioms and their origin. Fascinating!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish you and your daughter a great Christmas. It has been a pleasure getting to know you and your flash fiction work.
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2021
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Well done research on an idiom I had never heard before. I love the posts on idioms and their origin. Fascinating!!!!!!!!!!!! I wish you and your daughter a great Christmas. It has been a pleasure getting to know you and your flash fiction work.
Comment Written 13-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2021
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Right back at you!
I don't think he reacted as severely as I described--nevertheless, she second-guessed her choice of words--I conjured the scenario to make my point.
Comment from Mary Shifman
We seem to live in a time when people are quick to take offense at the slightest perceived offense, intended or not. It seems that if they knew each other, he could have given here the benefit of the doubt and let it go instead of assuming the worst and storming off.
reply by the author on 13-Dec-2021
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We seem to live in a time when people are quick to take offense at the slightest perceived offense, intended or not. It seems that if they knew each other, he could have given here the benefit of the doubt and let it go instead of assuming the worst and storming off.
Comment Written 13-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 13-Dec-2021
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I don't think he reacted as severely as I described--nevertheless, she second-guessed her choice of words--I conjured the scenario to make my point.
Comment from Wendy G
That's something I learned today. I have never heard that expression before - probably because of our lack of raccoons over here. Yes, it is an expression to be avoided, I would think.
Wendy
reply by the author on 13-Dec-2021
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That's something I learned today. I have never heard that expression before - probably because of our lack of raccoons over here. Yes, it is an expression to be avoided, I would think.
Wendy
Comment Written 13-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 13-Dec-2021
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I don't think he reacted as severely as I described--nevertheless, she second-guessed her choice of words--I conjured the scenario to make my point.
Comment from karenina
I read Sandra's latest! I was familiar with only one of the idioms she explained...("under the weather")--and fascinated on how that came to be!
My daughter in law, who is black, once explained to me that referring to blacks as "coons" originated from the cells or cages Africans were held in, while awaiting transport (aka kidnapping for slavery) onto slave ships. The cages were called "barracoons." (A word evolved from Spanish origin.)
A most unfortunate idiom, then! Long after we've lost the origin of these things, they've taken on "benign" meaning...
"A long time!"
So innocently spoken!
I'd never heard of a barracoon before...
I suspect many of us haven't!
I'm guessing it won't be an SAT question anytime soon...
It's a tough world to navigate.
Intentions do matter!
Karenina
reply by the author on 13-Dec-2021
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I read Sandra's latest! I was familiar with only one of the idioms she explained...("under the weather")--and fascinated on how that came to be!
My daughter in law, who is black, once explained to me that referring to blacks as "coons" originated from the cells or cages Africans were held in, while awaiting transport (aka kidnapping for slavery) onto slave ships. The cages were called "barracoons." (A word evolved from Spanish origin.)
A most unfortunate idiom, then! Long after we've lost the origin of these things, they've taken on "benign" meaning...
"A long time!"
So innocently spoken!
I'd never heard of a barracoon before...
I suspect many of us haven't!
I'm guessing it won't be an SAT question anytime soon...
It's a tough world to navigate.
Intentions do matter!
Karenina
Comment Written 13-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 13-Dec-2021
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I don't think he reacted as severely as I described--nevertheless, she second-guessed her choice of words--I conjured the scenario to make my point.
Baracoon--cool if that's true--my source speculates about several possible origins but makes no mention of that as a contender.
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Merriamwebster.com
Define/barracoon
(also a whole Wikipedia page about it...and we KNOW that's never wrong)
Cough, choke....
I adore my daughter in law.
She's taught me things I never imagined.
It's helped me see things my three mixed race grandkids see...
We don't do "woke" or "cancel" or Critical Race Theory...
We do family -- time.
K
Comment from damommy
Oh, my goodness. That's too bad. Where I grew up, we said that a lot, meaning it had been a long time. There is such a thing as being overly sensitive. Surely, this man knew what she meant.
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reply by the author on 13-Dec-2021
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Oh, my goodness. That's too bad. Where I grew up, we said that a lot, meaning it had been a long time. There is such a thing as being overly sensitive. Surely, this man knew what she meant.
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Comment Written 13-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 13-Dec-2021
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I don't think he reacted as severely as I described--nevertheless, she second-guessed her choice of words--I conjured the scenario to make my point.
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Oh, good. In fact, I said that phrase just the other day.
Comment from lyenochka
Wow! I had no idea about this idiom. If I heard it, I just probably ignored it. And thanks for the warning about the potential misunderstanding because of the racial slur. I smiled at your "not that kind of friendly!"
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reply by the author on 13-Dec-2021
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Wow! I had no idea about this idiom. If I heard it, I just probably ignored it. And thanks for the warning about the potential misunderstanding because of the racial slur. I smiled at your "not that kind of friendly!"
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The highest and the lowest rating are not included in calculations.
Comment Written 12-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 13-Dec-2021
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I don't think he reacted as severely as I described--nevertheless, she second-guessed her choice of words--I conjured the scenario to make my point.