Idioms Explained
Viewing comments for Chapter 22 " ... in a 'coon's age"Fanstorians explain the backstory of idioms
29 total reviews
Comment from Monica Chaddick
Ah, yes. Our dear Ethel uses this phrase quite often and feels that no one should be offended by it. Of course, according to her, they also shouldn't be offended by her saying "those people" or the worst word in the world - "nigger". But she is entitled to get offended by whatever she wants.
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2021
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Ah, yes. Our dear Ethel uses this phrase quite often and feels that no one should be offended by it. Of course, according to her, they also shouldn't be offended by her saying "those people" or the worst word in the world - "nigger". But she is entitled to get offended by whatever she wants.
Comment Written 16-Dec-2021
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2021
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Ethel is a real peach.
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 LisaMay
Not having raccoons in Australia or New Zealand, and not ever having heard a racial slur uttered within earshot, I am not familiar with this expression.
Being white, I will never know what it feels like to be black and have racial slurs cast my way. I have never been abused for being white - my life of privilege has not given me experience of these matters.
I can however offer an opinion about your use of "In a donkey's years." That is not how it is used here. We would say "For donkey's years" or "In donkey's years."
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2021
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Not having raccoons in Australia or New Zealand, and not ever having heard a racial slur uttered within earshot, I am not familiar with this expression.
Being white, I will never know what it feels like to be black and have racial slurs cast my way. I have never been abused for being white - my life of privilege has not given me experience of these matters.
I can however offer an opinion about your use of "In a donkey's years." That is not how it is used here. We would say "For donkey's years" or "In donkey's years."
Comment Written 14-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.
Comment from Father Flaps
Hi Liz,
I've used that expression many times, and never really thought about it too much. I didn't think of blacks as "coons", only raccoons. But I never thought what's so special about the age of a raccoon. Long ago, did people really think that raccoons lived a long time? I wonder why. Definitely, the ones I've seen dead on the road didn't have a long life. They are nighttime bandits, raiding garbage bins regularly. And they aren't afraid of people either.
Bottom line, people need to think about what they might say before they open their mouths. Better to listen, and keep quiet.
Hugs,
Kimbob
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2021
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Hi Liz,
I've used that expression many times, and never really thought about it too much. I didn't think of blacks as "coons", only raccoons. But I never thought what's so special about the age of a raccoon. Long ago, did people really think that raccoons lived a long time? I wonder why. Definitely, the ones I've seen dead on the road didn't have a long life. They are nighttime bandits, raiding garbage bins regularly. And they aren't afraid of people either.
Bottom line, people need to think about what they might say before they open their mouths. Better to listen, and keep quiet.
Hugs,
Kimbob
Comment Written 14-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 Jumbo J
Hi Liz,
here in OZ, a big ruckus was made over the name of one of our most loved cheeses, named Coon. The original maker of said cheese's surname name, yep, Coon. They changed the name, I don't what to, because I still found it stupid and unnecessary in my eyes. The very same thing happened of the denaming of an island... again named after a person by the name of Coon. No more Coon Island.
So the negative connotation has its merits, no doubt... and yes, poor Sally fell right into an innocent trap of another devastating idiom.
I guess when a word has been used in such a negative way, there is merit in taking the name out of circulation until in which time it reverts back into the name whence it came?
With our thoughts we create...
less confusion.
Kind regards,
James,
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2021
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Hi Liz,
here in OZ, a big ruckus was made over the name of one of our most loved cheeses, named Coon. The original maker of said cheese's surname name, yep, Coon. They changed the name, I don't what to, because I still found it stupid and unnecessary in my eyes. The very same thing happened of the denaming of an island... again named after a person by the name of Coon. No more Coon Island.
So the negative connotation has its merits, no doubt... and yes, poor Sally fell right into an innocent trap of another devastating idiom.
I guess when a word has been used in such a negative way, there is merit in taking the name out of circulation until in which time it reverts back into the name whence it came?
With our thoughts we create...
less confusion.
Kind regards,
James,
Comment Written 14-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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Well, they reacted vehemently here in OZ to change the name... different but the same. I guess racoons have that look of wisdom about them in adulthood?
Comment from Judy Lawless
This is an interesting idiom, Liz. Not one we hear much anymore, precisely for the reason you've stated. When I first read it here, I immediately thought of the racial slur before remembering it could be referring to a racoon, when words were often shortened with apostrophes instead of all the letters.
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2021
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This is an interesting idiom, Liz. Not one we hear much anymore, precisely for the reason you've stated. When I first read it here, I immediately thought of the racial slur before remembering it could be referring to a racoon, when words were often shortened with apostrophes instead of all the letters.
Comment Written 14-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 Rdfrdmom2
Elizabeth:
There was a Halloween shirt I was going to buy but it had something written on it that I knew would have been offensive to my African-American students so I did not buy it. Thanks for sharing. Jan
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2021
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Elizabeth:
There was a Halloween shirt I was going to buy but it had something written on it that I knew would have been offensive to my African-American students so I did not buy it. Thanks for sharing. Jan
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 Spitfire
Interesting. I never would have thought of it as a racial slur, but now I do. Thanks for giving a substitute phrase. As for a raccoon's age, I don't think 2 or 3 years is long. Think of dogs and cats who can live past 20 sometimes.
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2021
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Interesting. I never would have thought of it as a racial slur, but now I do. Thanks for giving a substitute phrase. As for a raccoon's age, I don't think 2 or 3 years is long. Think of dogs and cats who can live past 20 sometimes.
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 Jannypan (Jan)
You did a great job, Liz, with this informative post. Idioms are fun most of the time, but one must be aware of who is on the receiving end. Your words point that out perfectly
thanks for sharing.
Respectfully, Jan
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2021
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You did a great job, Liz, with this informative post. Idioms are fun most of the time, but one must be aware of who is on the receiving end. Your words point that out perfectly
thanks for sharing.
Respectfully, Jan
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 LateBloomer
Hello EE, a well written story. It illustrates how sometimes people can inadventently offend others. Thank you for your author's notes and explanation of "coon". A pleasure to read. Keep the blue waters flowing. LateBloomer
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2021
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Hello EE, a well written story. It illustrates how sometimes people can inadventently offend others. Thank you for your author's notes and explanation of "coon". A pleasure to read. Keep the blue waters flowing. LateBloomer
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 Midi O'Rourke
Very interesting. I have always been interested in regional idioms. Check these out: effective as a fart in a whirlwind, don't that just knock the fuzz off the peaches and finally, he/she doesn't know what to do, wind his ass or scratch his watch.
reply by the author on 18-Dec-2021
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Very interesting. I have always been interested in regional idioms. Check these out: effective as a fart in a whirlwind, don't that just knock the fuzz off the peaches and finally, he/she doesn't know what to do, wind his ass or scratch his watch.
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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