There definitely is a declining hierarchy in English as far as compound adjectives are concerned. A native speaker knows it innately. As an English major and former language teacher we studied/reviewed charts that showed the correct order. Other languages are very fluid or loose regarding word order. So, it is a challenge for language learners to understand rigid English language word order. Otherwise, they won't sound natural like a native speaker. Thus, "brown, big cat" will only be used by non-native students of the language and someone named "ummagumma." 8^)
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