yonks

Unknown. First seen in print around 1960. One theory is that it comes from donkey's years; another is that it is an acronym from years, months, weeks.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /jɒŋks/

• Audio (AU)

  (file)

• Rhymes: -ɒŋks

yonks pl (plural only)

1. (Britain, Australia, New Zealand) A long time (especially a longer time than expected); ages

   1968 August 27, Christopher Ward, “The Christopher Ward Page”, in Daily Mirror, London, page 7:

   I rang singer Julie Driscoll ... She said: "I haven't heard from you for yonks..."

   1975 January 28, Bill Stewart, “Comic Cuts”, in Evening Chronicle, number 30393, Newcastle, page 7:

   Alas, the comics for that age group have nearly all picture stories today -- and of course the ones for younger readers have been that way for yonks (sorry, years).

   Haven’t seen him in yonks!

   I’ve been a teacher for yonks—I should really try another career.

   This egg is taking yonks to boil.

Common in many English-speaking countries but not those of North America, where it is generally unknown.

• Kyson