Turf Means Grass, Peat and Territory
Turf is the surface layer of grass and roots. It also means peat and a claimed territory.
Turf is the surface layer of grass with its matted roots and soil, cut in slabs for laying as lawn. In Ireland and parts of Britain *turf* means peat cut for fuel, which is why turf fires have nothing to do with grass. And *turf* means a claimed territory — a gang's turf, or a *turf war* between departments — from the idea of ground one has marked as one's own. *The turf* also means horse racing, from the grass tracks it is run on.
- Grass layer. *Laying turf.*
- Peat fuel. *A turf fire.*
- Territory. *A turf war.*
- Horse racing. *The turf.*
- Old English — *turf*. *The source.*
Word forms
| Form | Word | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Noun | turf | Turf. |
| Verb | turf | Turfed out. |
| Compound | turf war | A turf war. |
| Related | peat | Peat. |
| German | Torf | Peat. |
- They laid new turf.Lawn.
- A turf fire burned slowly.Ireland.
- A departmental turf war.Figurative.
Turf phrases
- Turf war — a dispute over territory or authority
- On home turf — in familiar surroundings
- The turf — horse racing, run on grass
- Turf out — British for eject
- Astroturfing — fake grassroots support, from artificial turf
Old English *turf*, of Germanic origin, related to German *Torf*, peat.
Why does turf mean peat in Ireland?
The word covers any cut slab of ground surface, and peat was cut the same way as grass sods.
What is astroturfing?
Manufactured support made to look spontaneous, named after artificial turf that imitates real grass.