Gunny sack

A gunny sack, made from Hemp

A gunny sack, also known as a "gunny shoe", is an inexpensive bag, historically made of hessian (burlap) formed from jute, hemp, or other natural fibers. Modern sacks are often made from man-made products such as polypropylene.

The name "gunny" derives from the word goni ("thread, fibre"), a Tulu word from the language spoken in Mangalore.[1] Reusable gunny sacks, typically holding about 45 kg, were traditionally, and to some extent still are, 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.

See also

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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