Fur Piece
In Southern and Appalachian speech, "a fur piece" means a long way or a far distance. The phrase comes from the dialect pronunciation of "far" as "fur," turning a plain idea into a folksy country expression.
Hillbilly Dude Says...
I'd call 'fur piece' a relic. People do say it, but it's a nod to the past. Hillbilly Dude Says...
I'd call 'fur piece' a relic. People do say it, but it's a nod to the past. Pronunciation
[FUR pees]
Meaning & Usage
- A long way (noun phrase, figurative)
Mae:
How far’s the store?
How far’s the store?
Earl:
Oh, it’s a fur piece from here.
Oh, it’s a fur piece from here.variations: far piece
★ "A fur piece" is more about feeling than exact miles. It means "far enough you oughta think twice before walkin’." ★
Origin and Etymology
From the Southern/Appalachian pronunciation of "far" as "fur." By the 1800s, "fur piece" was a common way of measuring distance in rural talk. It carried over into storytelling and casual speech.
Usage Notes
Still common among older Southerners and mountain folk. Rare outside the South/Appalachia, where it often sounds quaint or unfamiliar.
Say It Like a Southerner
Said plain: "fur piece." The "far" shifts to "fur" in Southern/Appalachian talk.