Peck

Half peck apple bag

Peck is a unit of volume measurement traditionally used in dry measure in the United States and the United Kingdom. It is equivalent to 8 dry quarts or approximately 9 liters in the United States, and 2 imperial gallons or approximately 9.09218 liters in the United Kingdom. The peck is often associated with agricultural produce, such as apples, grain, and other dry commodities.

History

The use of the peck dates back to the medieval period in England, where it was used as a standard measurement for dry goods. The term "peck" is derived from the Old English word "peck" or "pæcc," indicating a measure for dry volume. Over time, the peck became integral to the agricultural and trading practices, especially in the context of selling grains and other dry foodstuffs.

Usage

In modern times, the peck is less commonly used as a standard unit of measurement, having been largely replaced by metric measurements in many countries. However, it remains a traditional measure in some regions and contexts, particularly in the sale of agricultural produce at markets or in recipes. In the United States, the peck is still used informally to denote a large quantity or volume of items, especially fruits and vegetables.

Conversion

To convert pecks to other units of volume, the following conversions can be used:

• 1 peck = 8 dry quarts (US)
• 1 peck = 2 imperial gallons (UK)
• 1 peck ≈ 9 liters

Cultural References

The peck has entered popular culture through phrases and idioms, such as "a peck of trouble" or "Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers," highlighting its use in literature and folklore. These references often play on the large volume implied by a peck, indicating abundance or excess.

See Also

• Bushel
• Quart
• Gallon
• Measurement
• Volume
• Agriculture

Peck Resources
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