The spelling of the word "forlong" can be a bit tricky. It is pronounced /fɔrˈlɔŋ/ and is often spelled as "furlong" or "four-long". The correct spelling, however, is with only one "r" and an "o" in the first syllable. A forlong is an old unit of measurement equal to one-eighth of a mile, and is commonly used in horse racing. To avoid confusion and ensure accuracy, it is important to use the correct spelling when referring to this unit of measurement.
The word "forlong" is derived from Old English "forlang", which can be broken down into two components: "for-" meaning "away, completely" or "previously" and "lang" meaning "long". Therefore, "forlong" originally meant "a long distance" or "a long while". Over time, the word evolved and came to be used as a noun to refer to a specific measurement of distance, typically equated to about three or four miles.