donkey's years

== English == === Alternative forms === donkeys' years donkey's === Etymology === 1876 or earlier. Possibly chosen because donkeys can be long-lived animals. Likely directly related to donkey's ears, a less frequently used rhyming slang term for years.[2] === Pronunciation === === Noun === donkey's years pl (plural only) (UK, Ireland, Commonwealth, idiomatic) A long time, years and years. 1876, The Salisbury Times: Didn't you ask him how long it had been in his possession?I can't recollect that. I might have done so.Didn't he say for years and years and donkey's years? === References === Michael Quinion (April 15, 2000), “Donkey’s years”, in World Wide Words.