Country mile
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A country mile is an informal term used to mean a great distance, significantly longer than a real mile. The term has a number of possible derivations:
- People living in rural areas may considerably underestimate a distance ("Go that way for about a mile, then turn left...")
- Country roads often meander, increasing the distance that must be traveled between two locations, compared to the distance measured in a straight line.
- It takes longer to traverse unfavorable terrain, increasing the perceived distance between two places.