Furlong

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036175 5 furlong

Furlong is a unit of distance measurement that is traditionally used in the United Kingdom, the United States, and other countries that were formerly part of the British Empire. It is equivalent to 660 feet, 220 yards, or approximately 201.168 meters. The furlong is an old English unit that dates back to at least the early Middle Ages, originally used in Anglo-Saxon England for the purpose of land measurement.

Origin and History

The term "furlong" derives from the Old English words furh (furrow) and lang (long), reflecting its original use as the length of a furrow in one acre of a ploughed open field. The system of long furrows ran the length of an acre, facilitating the ploughing of land with teams of oxen. The standardisation of such measurements was crucial for the transactions of land and the levying of taxes in medieval England.

In the Middle Ages, the furlong was part of a system that also included the mile, which was defined as eight furlongs. Thus, a mile consisted of 5,280 feet, maintaining a direct relationship between these units of measurement. The use of the furlong was widespread in agricultural settings, particularly in the English-speaking world, where it was used to measure the size of fields and the distances in horse racing.

Modern Usage

Today, the furlong is not commonly used in everyday measurements, as most countries have adopted the metric system for official purposes. However, it remains in use in some specific contexts. Notably, in horse racing, distances are still commonly given in furlongs in the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. This tradition reflects the historical roots of the sport and the persistence of customary units in certain cultural practices.

Conversion and Measurement

The exact length of a furlong is 660 feet or 220 yards. In metric terms, this is equivalent to 201.168 meters. Conversions between furlongs and other units of measurement can be performed using standard conversion factors. For example, to convert furlongs to meters, one would multiply the number of furlongs by 201.168.

Cultural Significance

The furlong holds a place in English cultural heritage and history, symbolizing the agricultural traditions and the medieval origins of England's system of measurements. Its continued use in horse racing is a testament to the enduring legacy of these historical measurement systems, even as the world increasingly moves towards standardization and the metric system.

See Also

• Mile
• Yard
• Foot (unit)
• Metric system

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