Fur

In Southern and Appalachian speech, "fur" is the dialect pronunciation of "far." It shows up in everyday talk and colorful sayings like "a fur piece."

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Distance #Southern

synonyms: far

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I'd say 'fur' depends on the region. Sometimes it comes out with a real hard 'r'.

Hillbilly Dude Says...

I'd say 'fur' depends on the region. Sometimes it comes out with a real hard 'r'.

Pronunciation

[FUR]

Meaning & Usage

- Far (adjective/adverb, dialect)

Mae:

Is it close?

Earl:

No, it’s fur down yonder.

★ The Southern "fur" for "far" is one of the most recognized dialect sounds, often borrowed into storytelling and comedy to give a country flavor. ★

Origin and Etymology

From the Old English "feorr," meaning far. In Southern and Appalachian dialects, the vowel shifted to sound like "fur." By the 1800s, it was firmly part of regional speech.

Usage Notes

Still common in older generations and country storytelling. Outsiders often see it in print as a way of marking Southern or Appalachian dialect.

Say It Like a Southerner

Said plain: "fur," with the vowel shifted. Common in mountain and country speech.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

Is "fur" a misspelling of "far"?

No - it’s the natural dialect pronunciation in the South and Appalachia.

Do people outside the South say it?

Rarely. It’s recognized, but it sounds distinctly Southern/Appalachian.

Do folks still use it today?

Yes, especially in rural speech and storytelling, though younger speakers often stick to "far."

How to Cite This Page

APA (7th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. (2025, September 23). Fur. HillbillySlang.com. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/fur-meaning-far
MLA (9th edition)
"The Hillbilly Dude." "Fur." HillbillySlang.com, 23 Sept. 2025, https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/fur-meaning-far.
Chicago (17th edition)
The Hillbilly Dude. "Fur." HillbillySlang.com. September 23, 2025. https://www.hillbillyslang.com/definitions/fur-meaning-far.

advertisement...