Hiberno-English word/phrase of the day:

Donkey's years

‘Donkey's years’ is used to describe a long period of time that has passed.

For example, ‘Ah, Ollie – it’s great to see you, I haven’t see you around in donkey's years’.

This expression is inseparable from donkey’s ears. In fact, these two expressions were originally a single one, donkey’s years being simply a dialectal pronunciation of donkey’s ears — or vice versa.

#ireland #slang #language

And donkey’s ears/years was part of a proverbial rural phrase which ran: "years and years, and donkey’s ears/years (ago)."
@Fionnbharr I think it can also be used just as "donkeys." Like "How've you been man? It's been donkeys." Or just "I haven't seen you in donkeys."
@muddle Ah, I didn't know that! Thanks!