Had anyone ever heard of furlough before this month?

[Thatbloodybear]

Just musing that furlough, along with social distancing and self isolation are phrases we probably all read hundreds of times a day on MN. Has anyone ever heard of furlough or experienced it before now?

It's used in Gone with the Wind, Ashley comes home from the war on furlough

I only knew it from Orange Is The New Black and then had to google it.
Sounded like a farming term to me

Yes, but I think it's an Americanism

As PP have mentioned, I'd heard of it in relation to American Missionaries, but not in relation to UK employment (former HR worker).

Yes, it appears in the Chalet School books - the founder's otherwise useless older brother appears on furlough to give blessing to the project

I had been racking my brains to think of what book it was that I'd heard it used in - and had thought of the Chalet School. I googled furlough and Chalet School and this thread came up.

Was aware of it more as a US term.

being put on furlough for two weeks every Christmas is standard in my job

Never heard it before

I had, but now I keep confusing it with furlongs, and imagine horse races, but with people.

As a PP said, the marching elephants sing about “A furlough in the shade” in the Jungle Book.
Best animation ever IMO.
Gratuitous picture of Colonel Hathi.

On a darker note, it’s a very common practice in Italy, for industries like FIAT to keep their pool of skilled workers in periods of low productivity while getting relief from the government.
It’s called Cassa Integrazione.

Yes I'd heard it, but only in reference to missionaries.

Me too @TheStarryNight (but I just confuse the words - I don't imagine horses turning into people)

Yes! It's what Piper Chapman gets which means she can leave prison when her grandmother is dying (in Orange Is The New Black). And she sorely pisses off the other inmates in the process .That's literally the only time I'd heard that word before now.

It's also one of those words that's quite satisfying to say. I'm sure it's one Miranda would love repeating in ever more suggestive ways