fur piece
A long way from here; quite a stretch of road.
Also called a fur piece, fer piece, a fer piece.
Updated September 21, 2026
fur piece pronunciation
/FUR peess/
Meaning
Means a fair distance, usually farther than a short walk. "Fur" is how far often sounds in mountain talk, and "piece" is an old way to say an indefinite stretch of road. How far is a fur piece? Depends on whether you are walking, driving, or just exaggerating. Closely kin to "a fer piece" and "a right smart piece."
How folks use it
- “Town's a fur piece from this hollow if you're walking.”
- “I'd take the truck. That store's a fur piece down the highway.”
Origin and etymology
Southern and Appalachian pronunciation of far as fur, plus piece used for distance, a sense English dialects and Scots/northern English also had. In the U.S. DARE marks piece for distance chiefly in the South and Midland. Mountain speakers stacked them into "a fur piece" / "a fer piece" for "a long way."
Frequently asked questions
Does fur piece have anything to do with animal fur?
No. Fur here is just how far comes out in that accent.