Gunny sack

A gunny sack

A gunny sack, also known as a "gunny shoe", is an inexpensive bag made of hessian (burlap) usually formed from jute or other natural fibers, although modern sacks are often made from polypropylene; the "gunny" portion of the name ultimately descends from Tulu (Indian Language spoken in Mangalore) goni, "thread, fiber", by way of imperial British corruption of that word's descendants in later Indian languages.[1] Gunny sacks are traditionally used for transporting grains, potatoes, and other agricultural products. Today they are also sometimes used as sandbags for erosion control. Gunny sacks are also popular in the traditional children's game of sack racing.

Size

A gunny sack holds approximately 100 lb (45 kg) of potatoes. Even though gunny sacks are no longer used for that purpose, among Idaho farmers the common measurement unit of potatoes is still the "sack".[2]

A man carries a large bag on his shoulders. Behind him, thousands of bags are stacked in rows.
Thousands of bags of coffee beans are stored in this warehouse.

References

  1. ↑ "gunnysack". Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. Merriam-Webster. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
  2. ↑ South, David B. "Protect Your Potatoes". Accessed 2015-06-10.
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