Pronunciation: [fˈɜːlɒŋz] (IPA) 
The word "furlongs" is commonly used in horse racing to describe a distance of 220 yards. The spelling of this word is unique, as the "ur" sound is pronounced as a long "er" sound. In IPA phonetic transcription, the word can be written as /ˈfɜr.lɔŋz/. The "er" sound is represented by the symbol "ɜr," while the "o" sound in "long" is represented by the symbol "ɔ." The plural "s" at the end of the word is pronounced as an "z" sound.
Furlongs are a unit of measurement commonly used in horse racing and horse breeding to determine the distance covered during a race or as a measure of distance between points in a horse track. In particular, a furlong represents one-eighth of a mile or approximately 660 feet.
The term "furlong" originated from the Old English word "furlang," which meant "a furrow long," referring to the length of a furrow in a field. In ancient times, the furrow length was used as a way to calculate distances for agricultural purposes. Over the centuries, the furlong evolved into a standardized unit of measurement.
In modern usage, furlongs are primarily employed in the context of horse racing. Horse races often describe the race length in terms of furlongs. For example, a "six-furlong race" means that the track is six times the standard furlong length, or three-quarters of a mile. This allows for consistent measurement and comparison of races held at different tracks or on different terrains.
Additionally, furlongs are utilized to denote the positions or distances between various markers or points on a horse track. This ensures race organizers, trainers, jockeys, and viewers can easily understand the distance between starting points and finish lines, or recognize where certain actions or changes may occur during a race.
Overall, furlongs are a fundamental unit of measurement in horse racing, providing a standardized way to describe distances in the sport and formulating a universal language for those involved in the industry.
The word "furlongs" originated in Old English as "furlang", which can be further broken down into "furh" meaning "furrow" and "lang" meaning "long". The term referred to the length of a furrow plowed by oxen before turning, which typically measured around 220 yards. Over time, the term "furlong" evolved and became a standardized unit of measurement equal to 1/8th of a mile (or approximately 220 yards). This measurement was commonly used in the Anglo-Saxon period for assessing distances, particularly in agriculture and racing. The usage of "furlong" made its way into the English language and has been retained till this day.
