# donkey's years

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/donkeys-years
Updated: 2026-08-10

## Meaning

A long time, years and years.

## Examples

- I have not seen my old friend in donkey's years.
- This family business stays successful because we have used the same recipe for donkey's years.
- We have lived in this same small apartment for donkey's years, so we are finally looking for a new house.
- My grandfather has owned that rusty old bicycle for donkey's years, but he still refuses to buy a modern one.
- The local government finally decided to repair the bridge after the community had complained about its safety for donkey's years.
- The dusty archives had remained untouched for donkey's years, hiding secrets that no one in the village had dared to uncover.

## Origin

Attested since 1876 or perhaps earlier, the phrase is thought to refer to the notable longevity of the animal. A second theory suggests the expression is a product of rhyming slang, derived from the phrase donkey's ears, which served as a substitute for years before being shortened and its literal sense discarded. As noted by wordhistories.net in 2016, the origins remain uncertain, leaving the longevity of the donkey and the length of its ears as competing explanations for the passage of time. (disputed)

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.