This is an example of an expression that has altered its spelling over time. "Not for donkey's ears" means not for a very long time and refers to the length of a donkey's ears. However, they gradually stretched from the "donkey" and turned "ears" into "years". The meaning of the expression is the same, if it does make rather less sense than the original......I always thought it was "donkey's years", but that is the Dorset dialect for "ears" ;-))
Your title made me laugh and I love your portrait of the donkey. Reminded me of a summer in Ireland when I was a child. People still had donkeys and carts and the odd donkey roamed the roads.
Very nice shot of the donkey Rosa. Certainly used the expression donkey's years many times but I never heard realised it was about the ears, but it makes sense! The donkey facts are very educational, thanks for posting.
Loading
57 comments
Keith Burton said:
Just noticed it's one from Sidmouth!
Rosalyn Hilborne replied to Keith Burton:
Yes it is Sidmouth. Thanks for your great comments.
HappySnapper said:
Erika Akire said:
Nicole Merdrignac said:
Jean said:
Frans Schols said:
Vriendelijke groeten..........Frans.
Nick Weall said:
Peter Castell said:
Doug Shepherd said:
Joe, Son of the Rock said:
Ulrich John said:
neira-Dan said:
Jaap van 't Veen said:
Nouchetdu38 said:
Bonjour de France.