long
Far or a good stretch away, not just tall in time.
Also called a long ways, far, a fur piece.
Updated September 24, 2026
long pronunciation
/LONG/
Meaning
In rural Southern talk, long often marks distance. A long ways from the house. Town is long from here if you're walking. Pairs with ways and piece the same way folks say a fur piece. Time sense still exists, but porch directions lean hard on the space sense.
How folks use it
- “The feed store's a long ways down that blacktop.”
- “Don't start walking. It's long from here to the river landing.”
Origin and etymology
English long has always covered stretch in space and time. Southern and Appalachian speech keeps the space sense lively in set phrases like a long ways, recorded in Smoky Mountain English alongside ways for a distance. Older genitive ways (from Middle English) helps the plural form stick in American rural talk.
Frequently asked questions
Does long always mean far?
No. It still means length in time too (a long wait). Context tells you whether somebody means miles or minutes.