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coon

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coon eye(s)

1. Discoloration in the area surrounding the eye(s) due to an accumulation of blood, as caused by periorbital ecchymosis (i.e., "black eye(s)"). A colloquial shortening of "raccoon eyes," likened to the black patches around the eyes of a raccoon. He had a pretty bad coon eye after the bully punched him in the face. I had coon eyes for several days after my car accident.

2. A discoloration immediately around—and especially under—the eye(s) due to the smearing of dark-colored makeup. A colloquial shortening of "raccoon eyes," likened to the black patches around the eyes of a raccoon. She wouldn't have such a problem with coon eyes if she didn't wear so much makeup to begin with! Whenever I cry, it causes my makeup to run and give me coon eyes.

3. A discoloration immediately around—and especially under—the eye(s) due to prolonged fatigue or lack of sleep. A colloquial shortening of "raccoon eyes," likened to the black patches around the eyes of a raccoon. I must not sleep very soundly because I always have these coon eyes when I wake up.

See also: coon

a coon's age

An exceptionally long period of time. Based on the folk belief that raccoons (shortened colloquially to "coons") had a longer-than-average lifespan. Primarily heard in US, South Africa. It will take a coon's age to get all this work finished! I haven't been on a vacation in a coon's age.

See also: age

in a coon's age

 and in a month of Sundays

Rur. in a very long time. (The coon is a raccoon.) How are you? I haven't seen you in a coon's age. I haven't had a piece of apple pie this good in a coon's age.

See also: age

coon's age

Also, a dog's age. A very long time, as in I haven't seen Sam in a coon's age, or It's been a dog's age since I went to the ballpark. The first phrase rests on the mistaken idea that raccoons ("coons") live a long time. The variant may reflect a similar assumption but the true origin is not known. [c. 1835] Also see donkey's years.

See also: age

gone coon, a

Also, a gone goose. A person in a hopeless situation, one who is doomed; a dead duck. For example, When he passed me, I knew I was a gone goose. These terms have survived such synonyms as gone chick, gone beaver, gone horse, and gone gander. Stephen Crane used the first in The Red Badge of Courage (1894): "I'm a gone coon this first time." [Slang; early 1800s]

See also: gone

ace boom-boom

and ace boon-coon

n. one’s good and loyal friend. (Black. Ace boon-coon is not as common as the first entry and is objected to because of coon.) Hey girlfriend, you are my ace boom-boom. Where is my old ace boon-coon, bro?

See also: ace

ace boon-coon

verb

See ace boom-boom

See also: ace