thoughts from the common man....

"In a 'Coon's Age."

So the other day I called another Kinkies and spoke with a Coworker that I had not spoken to in forever. I said to her, "Sally (name changed to protect the innocent) I haven't seen you in a 'coon's age!" To this she replied, "How old is a 'coon (sounding a bit peeved)?" So I'm thinkin', "This isn't a Deep South racial slur is it?" and feeling bad. We talked for a bit, but I still not sure if that is why she replied the way she did. I have always thought of in terms of a raccoon's life span, so I looked it up. (Ain't Google Grand!!!).

A few sources....
www.clichesite.com
A discussion on the phrase finder
U of North Dakota on Life Span of a Raccoon

So what of this, it seems the phrase was first recorded in 1843, and not used as a racial term till a decade or two later, so does it make the term racist? I feel as though it could go either way, some would say that the term is neither here nor there, some would say that as a result of the racial tensions and background in our country that we should heir on the side of caution. What about other terms that could have racial implications? It is defiantly something to think about, and I am still not sure what my opinion is on the whole thing.