I have heard that word used to refer to Black people. And that is absolutely reprehensible, unacceptable and nasty, and I would not expect you to be polite to anyone who used it in that way. I would not be polite to anyone who used it in that way. So, we're in complete agreement here.
Here is where I get confused. I have never heard that phrase used to refer to a human being--it means, essentially, "in a very, very long time." (I have never actually said "in a coon's age", but I say "in a dog's age" all the time and am not sure what the reason for the regional variation in animal choice is.)
Do you also think that it is inappropriate to use the word in question to refer to a raccoon, which is what I understand is meant in that phrase? If so, why is that?
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Re: part 1
Date: 2008-02-28 12:02 am (UTC)Here is where I get confused. I have never heard that phrase used to refer to a human being--it means, essentially, "in a very, very long time." (I have never actually said "in a coon's age", but I say "in a dog's age" all the time and am not sure what the reason for the regional variation in animal choice is.)
Do you also think that it is inappropriate to use the word in question to refer to a raccoon, which is what I understand is meant in that phrase? If so, why is that?