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.

#SouthernWords #Appalachia #Distance #OldTimers #Southern

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?

Earl:

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.

Kin Topics

Common Questions

How far is a "fur piece"?

It’s not exact - just means "a long way."

Is "fur" a misspelling?

No - it’s the natural dialect sound of "far" in Southern/Appalachian speech.

Do people still say it today?

Yes, mostly older folks, though it’s still recognized as a country phrase.

How to Cite This Page

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

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