Do you know/use this phrase?

[Bensmom]

I was visiting with my SIL, who has lived all over the world, and mentioned I had not seen something, "in a coon's age." She had never heard the phrase and did not know the meaning. Now I'm curious who has heard of or ever used this phrase. Poll to follow:). I think....

[GailV]

I voted that I've heard it before, but maybe I've just heard similar phrases.  The Beverly Hillbillys were awash in colorful phrases like that.

[Word Nerd]

I've heard it before but never used it and am not from the South.

[emzhengjiu]

I'm from the south and heard the phrase many times when I lived in more rural areas.  Around Dallas, not so much.  I have no idea of it's origin.

[In The Great White North]

I use it a lot and am from the North

[Hwin]

I'm in the northeast and have heard it. I may have even used it jokingly once. 

[Ellie]

I've heard it, and used it only once or twice, but usually in more of a light-hearted sort of way, KWIM? And I spent 30 years in California, so although technically I'm from the South, because that's where I was born, I heard and used it (once or twice) in California. Not sure I've ever actually heard it now that I'm actually living in the South.

[kbutton]

I'm from PA, and it seems as though we had a lot of colloquial phrases like that growing up. I think part of it is that I had great-grandparents next door and lots of interaction with people of various generations. In general, it seems that no matter where you go in PA, the locals have many, many colloquialisms. Incidentally, my college roommate was an Army brat, but both of her parents were from PA. She used many of the same phrases I did, and what she didn't use, she had heard/understood and didn't think they were odd. The Midwesterners, on the other hand, regularly thought my expressions were odd. However, I had the pleasure of laughing at jokes the oldest professor on campus made in class--I understood his expressions, so I could get the humor. Most everyone else was confused.

[Jean in Newcastle]

I use it and have never lived in the South.  I also tell people that "I'm busier than a  hound-dog with fleas."  (I just like descriptive language!)

[MommaOfalotta]

I use it and a lot of people around here do. While we are not from "the south" we are in a very rural (aka Country or BFE) area.

[Χά�ων]

Never heard it before. I am from the midwest.

[Lisa in SC]

I've used it a few times, but dh uses it often. We're both from the Midwest, but currently live in the South.

 

ETA: Like a PP, neither of us know the origin of the term. We've only known it to mean "a long time."

[Pretty in Pink]

I heard it growing up a lot -- my mother said (and still says) it and she's from Florida. My father's side of the family is from Kentucky and some of them also say it. I've not heard it from anyone my own age (early 30s)...ever? I don't say it.

[Joyofsixreboot]

I am not southern but had a very rural upbringing and have used the phrase. I tend to use "in a blue moon" more though.

[Hunter's Moon]

I "heard" it for the first time a few days ago on Facebook. I had never heard it before that. I am from the Northeast.

[Heatherwith4]

Yes, but not often. I'm in the South

[BellaStarr]

I'm from the South and have never heard it.

[Catwoman]

Nope. Never heard it.

 

But now that I have, I'm going to try it out on some other people. :D

[Cinder]

I've never heard this phrase.

[Laura Corin]

I was visiting with my SIL, who has lived all over the world, and mentioned I had not seen something, "in a coon's age." She had never heard the phrase and did not know the meaning. Now I'm curious who has heard of or ever used this phrase. Poll to follow:). I think....

 

My MIL (born Mart, TX, around 1930) used to say it.

 

L

[TammyinTN]

I'm from Franklin County, VA ....they did a moonshine show there....yes I've heard it, but don't talk like that...thank goodness!  :svengo:

[Chelli]

I was born and raised in Arkansas and pretty much everyone used that phrase at least once including myself.

 

Arkansas has quite a few interesting phrases like that much to my dh's enjoyment when I use them.

 

Now living in Texas, I don't hear things like "in a coon's age" ever. 

[PrincessMommy]

yes, I've heard it and probably used it myself.  I was going to mention Beverley Hillbillies too because I'm not sure that it would be something my grandparents would have used.  I'm from the Mid-Atlantic states

 

[MSNative]

From the South and I've never heard it.

 

According to The Straight Dope: "It actually refers to raccoons. The expression "in a coon's age" dates to the early 1800s, and to the folk belief that raccoons are long-lived. My pal Colibri of the Straight Dope Science Advisory Board says, "References differ, but a wild individual raccoon might live up to 5 to 7 years (average survival being much lower, though, probably 2-3 years), and in captivity they can live up to 14-17 years. So their lifespan is comparable to that of a dog."

In the early 1800s, it's doubtful if anyone knew how long raccoons actually lived, and two to three years in the wild is not really very long. But raccoon fur is hardy and reasonably durable, which might have given rise to the belief of longevity."  http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/1536/whats-the-origin-of-coons-age

[FaithManor]

I am from Michigan, and I've heard it often in this area. I don't use it myself.

[LucyStoner]

I have heard it but both sides of the family have southern roots, despite me being more a PNW girl than anything else. If I lived here and wasn't in touch with relatives, I doubt I would have ever heard it. I use colorful expressions but more of them are rooted in urban than rural culture and my parents would never let us say anything like coon. Yes, I know it is from raccoon but it sounds like a common racial cultural slur and as white parents of a black son with racist relatives, they were understandably really sensitive about/careful wrt language.

[MistyMountain]

I never heard the term. I grew up in the Northeast and lived in California and now Alaska. Now that I see where it comes from and what it means I don't plan on using the term.

[sarahbobeara]

I am from Iowa, my  dad (life-long Iowan) has used this phrase for as long as I can remember.  My brother has picked it up and now uses it as often as my dad.  I do not use it, just as I do not "wersh" my clothes in the "wersher."  :P

[Mandylubug]

From GA and never heard of it

[Kathryn]

From the South and never heard it.

[ErinE]

I've mainly heard it from elderly Southern people who grew up in the country.

[fraidycat]

I'm from Canada. I've heard and possibly even used the phrase before. Like a PP, though "blue moon" is more common.

[TravelingChris]

I have never heard that phrase.  I didn't watch Beverly Hillbillies either.

[Parrothead]

I lived in the south so I've heard it.  I've never brought myself to say it.

[homebody2k]

I've said it - but not in a coon's age

[Shelly in IL]

Are you trying to figure out if it is only used in the South? Grew up in Ohio. All my relatives and friends have used that phrase.

[zoobie]

I'm from the South and live in the South and do not use "coon" because it is a word with strong racist connotations. Even if the phrase is actually about real raccoons, it's just not something I want to say for fear of being misheard or misunderstood.

[Spy Car]

Vaguely aware of the existence of the phrase (exposed through reading?), but never heard anyone use it in conversation.

 

I think one would get strange looks in these parts.

 

Bill

[MommaOfalotta]

Are you trying to figure out if it is only used in the South? Grew up in Ohio. All my relatives and friends have used that phrase.

 

Ohio here too.

[Guest inoubliable]

Not a Southern thing. It's an Appalachian thing. 

 

[texasmama]

Heard it, never said it, from the South.

[Chris in VA]

Heard it, don't say it. I, too, thought of the racial term. Glad it refers to racoons. 

[mrsrevmeg]

I have never heard it and I am from the South.

[Kareni]

I've heard it but never used it.  I do say "in a dog's age" though which has garnered some questions.

 

Regards,

Kareni

[myfunnybunch]

I grew up in a rural logging community in the PNW. Many people we knew used the phrase regularly. I still use it, as does my dad.

 

Cat

[Dory]

Born and raised in northern Alberta and I've heard it lots, although perhaps blue moon a little more often. I've used it a few times, not usually something I say though.

[Melissa in Australia]

_{I have heard it used, I am not in the US. BUT I have only heard it in American movies. :coolgleamA:} 

[Donna]

I am from the Northeast but have a lot of family in the South and DH is from the South as is all his family. I have never said it but have heard it though I have no recollection where.

[Maus]

I used to hear it on occasion. I think it was my grandmother, who lived in Iowa until she was 15, and then Oregon from then on, who used to say it.

[Maus]

I used to hear it on occasion. I think it was my grandmother, who lived in Iowa until she was 15, and then Oregon from then on, who used to say it.