   Fur PieceIn 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. Pronunciation[FUR pees] Meaning & Usage- A long way (noun phrase, figurative)
Mae:
How far’s the store?
Earl:
Oh, it’s a fur piece from here.other spellings: far piece ★ "A fur piece" is more about feeling than exact miles. It means "far enough you oughta think twice before walkin’." ★ OriginFrom 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. NotesStill common among older Southerners and mountain folk. Rare outside the South/Appalachia, where it often sounds quaint or unfamiliar. Say It Like a SouthernerSaid plain: "fur piece." The "far" shifts to "fur" in Southern/Appalachian talk. | About We are a growing field guide to culture, speech, memory, and meaning - rooted in Appalachia, but wide as the world. Read more... |
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