A “bushel and a peck” stands for substantial or large quantity. Originally, the two terms were used as units of measurement in which a bushel amounts to four pecks. However, today, the term conveys the extent of love and affection you have for someone. Read on to discover the origins and exact bushel and a peck meaning.
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What Does Bushel and a Peck Mean?
The idiom “bushel and a peck” means ‘lots of’ or large amounts. The term was popularly used in England between 1066 and 1485 to refer to metric units for calculating the amount of dry farm produce, particularly grains.
Fun Fact: A peck is a smaller unit that translates to about eight dry quarts, while a bushel is four times that amount.
Over time, the bushel and a peck meaning shifted towards being an expression for quantifying love. The transition to the modern meaning was orchestrated by Frank Loesser, who used this term in a song. In the song ‘Bushel and a Peck,’ Loesser used the lyrics, “I love you, a bushel and a peck, a bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck…” to mean “I love you a whole lot.”
Fun Fact: Betty Hutton and Perry Como and Doris Day popularized Loesser’s composition.
Example sentences:
- I love you a bushel and a peck, my darling wife —more than anything in the world!
- Mom gave me a bushel and a peck of compliments after I finished the project.
- I love my grandparents, a bushel and a peck!
- I can’t wait to see you tomorrow. I love you a bushel and a peck!
- Grandpa sent a bushel and peck message to Grandma to show his appreciation.
- A bushel and a peck of happiness are all I want for you.
- I’ve got a bushel and a peck of thanks for everyone who helped out today.
- He showed up with a bushel and a peck of fresh apples from his garden!
Example conversations:
Conversation 1
You: Every time my aunt leaves, she sings, "I love you a bushel and a peck!"
Your friend: That's so catchy! Is it from a song or something?
You: Yep, it's from an old musical called Guys and Dolls.Conversation 2
You: My dad just texted, "I love you a bushel and a peck."
Your friend: Wait, what's a bushel and a peck?
You: They're old measurements, but in this case, it just means "I love you a whole bunch!"How to Use Bushel and A Peck?
You can use the phrase in text and verbal communication, especially when expressing love to your family, romantic partner, or close friends. For instance:
Romantic Partner:
We quarrel, fix our issues, and we stay because I love you a bushel and a peck, and I can't spend a day without you, my love.Family Member:
I'm always away from my siblings, but every time we meet , you can tell we love each other a bushel and a peck for sure!The idiom may be too informal for formal writing or professional letters. However, it’s absolutely appropriate for letters, texts, and conversations where you want to convey familiarity and affection.
Generally, the phrase is used in singular form. You can use the term as is to express love or combine it with other terms for increased emphasis. For example, you can say, “I love you a bushel and a peck and some in a gourd.”
Other Ways to Say Bushel and A Peck
Looking for alternative expressions that capture the same warmth and affection as “a bushel and a peck”? Here are some options:
- A ton and a half
- Loads and loads
- To the moon and back
- Bunches and bunches
- Beyond measure
Final Thoughts
While the phrase was initially related to a unit of measurement, today, the well-known bushel and a peck meaning is an abundance of, usually love, to someone.
