The phrase "far between" is often used to describe something rare or uncommon. Its spelling can be confusing, as the pronunciation does not match the way it looks on paper. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is spelled as /fɑr bɪˈtwiːn/. The "r" sound is pronounced, followed by a short "i" sound, and the stress is on the second syllable. Remembering the phonetic transcription can help ensure correct spelling and pronunciation of this phrase.
The phrase "far between" is an idiomatic expression used to describe something that is infrequent, scarce, or occurring at great intervals. This expression is often used to convey the sense that there is a significant distance or extended period of time between occurrences of a particular event or instance.
The term "far" in this context denotes a considerable or significant separation, suggesting that the occurrence or existence of a certain thing is quite distant from one another. This can apply to both physical and figurative situations. For instance, if someone says that good job opportunities are few and far between, they mean that such opportunities are relatively rare and difficult to come by. Similarly, if one states that moments of genuine connection with others are far between, it signifies that there are seldom occasions where they truly bond or establish a deep connection with someone.
The word "between" implies that the occurrences or instances in question are spaced or situated within a specific range, thus emphasizing the scarcity or sparsity of such events. It implies that there is a considerable amount of empty space or time between each instance. This expression can be used to describe a wide range of situations, from finding a rare collectible item to experiencing moments of tranquility in a chaotic world.
In conclusion, "far between" refers to something that is infrequent, scarce, or occurring at great intervals. It conveys the idea of significant distance or extended periods of time separating occurrences, be it physical or figurative.
The phrase "few and far between" means that something is rare or widely spaced apart. The etymology of this phrase is quite straightforward.
The word "far" comes from the Old English word "feorr", which means "at or to a great distance". It is related to the Old High German word "ferro" and the Gothic word "fairra". Over time, "feorr" evolved into "far" in Middle English.
The word "between" comes from the Old English word "betweonum", which means "by twos". It is a combination of "be" which means "by" and "twēonum" for "twos". As with "far", "betweonum" also underwent changes in pronunciation and spelling to become "between" in Modern English.