What is the origin of the phrase donkeys years?

The phrase “donkey’s years,” meaning a long time, originated in the early 20th century, apparently as a pun on the long ears of a donkey. In fact, the first published reference in the Oxford English Dictionary uses the phrase “donkey’s ears.” Here’s the citation, from The Vermillion Box, a 1916 novel by E. V.

Why is donkey a bad word?

The words “donkey” and “ass” (or translations thereof) have come to have derogatory or insulting meaning in several languages, and generally means someone who is obstinate, stupid or silly, In football, especially in the United Kingdom, a player who is considered unskilful is often dubbed a “donkey”, and the term has a …

What does the expression all mouth and no trousers mean?

British, informal. —used to describe someone who talks a lot about doing something but never actually does it.

What does donkey mean in British slang?

a stupid or stubborn person. 3. British slang, derogatory. a footballer known for his or her lack of skill.

Is the word bloody a swear word?

Bloody is a common swear word that is considered to be milder and less offensive than other, more visceral alternatives. In 1994, it was the most commonly spoken swear word, accounting for around 650 of every million words said in the UK – 0.064 per cent.

Is Schmuck a bad word?

Next we come to ‘schmuck’, which in English is a rather vulgar definition of a contemptible or foolish person – in other words, a jerk. In Yiddish the word ‘שמאָק’ (schmok) literally means ‘penis’.

What is Tossa?

: an annual erect branching herb (Corchorus olitorius) cultivated in Africa and tropical Asia for its mucilaginous leaves which are eaten raw or cooked and for its grayish or brown jute fiber also : the fiber of the tossa jute.

Did David ride a donkey?

1) King David, King Solomon, Jesus, and all of the prophets are NEVER seen riding a horse, they are ALWAYS described as riding donkeys. 2) All the bread that is brought to King David comes on the backs of donkeys.

What is a female donkey called?

Jenny: A jenny (or jennet) is a term for a female donkey. Moke: A moke is a British term for a donkey. Molly: A molly is a term for a female mule. Mule: A mule is the result of breeding between a male donkey and a female horse.

What does it mean to talk the hind legs off a donkey?

It is difficult to be sure of its origin. Possibly from Ireland, it has been suggested that the expression refers to the fact that horses or donkeys do not usually sit down on their behinds. So, to talk the hind legs off a donkey or horse is to talk so long that the animal becomes exhausted and collapses.

Why do they call it “the hind leg off”?

It is therefore likely that animal’s, or person’s, hind leg off is simply a hyperbolic extension of to talk, emphasising the speaker’s persistence or eloquence—a similar phrase is to talk through (the back of) one’s neck, meaning to talk nonsense.

Can donkeys sit on their rear ends?

Donkeys (or “asses” or “jackasses” as they are called in other parts of the world) do not naturally sit down on their rear ends. In fact, it is an extraordinary achievement to get one to do it. “Talking the hind legs off a donkey” is a literal translation of the Gaelic, which actually means “making a donkey sit down on its rear end”.

What is the earliest form of the word “talk a horse”?

The earliest form was to talk a horse ’s hind leg off. Other early variants, sometimes with other verbs than to talk, referred neither to donkey or to horse but to dog or even to a person.