I read a lot of American novels and constantly one sees measurements given as 'blocks', it is two blocks, three blocks, a block and a half...

Exactly how long is a block?

I may be wrong, correct me if I am , but it is the distance to the next road that you cross, so how many buildings in the block is nothing to do with it. We might say ' three turnings . they will say 'three blocks'. Am I right?

So a pretty pointless term. If I asked how far somewhere was and was told three blocks then you are saying that it will not tell me the distance? What is the point then?

By using the term "block" when giving/receiving directions, I have notice that it's easier than giving a distance, especially when in a city or town versus being in the country. Americans, at least those that I have been in contact with, (and here I go with the "dumb American" bit, ) are notoriously awful when giving directions when using mileages as a guide. I have had people (men and women alike) tell me to "drive 2 miles" when in actuality it may only be 1/2 mile! This is so frustrating when you're in a big truck and it's not easy to get turned around. However, if they tell me "5 blocks", it usually means 5 blocks. And Ren is right, a block can be of any length.

What is wrong with 'the third turning on the right'? Although that isn't going to work if your destination isn't around a corner!

I thought a block might be a standard length. So if a stranger to town wanted to know if a destination was a walkable distance it is a bit useless.

It also depends on the city you are in, as some city blocks are longer than others. I usually say "take the Nth turn to the right/left."

Here's a little article on Wikipedia that helps explain it:

City blocks

People tend to use the phrase more where there are actually rather standard block sizes, though, so it's not quite as confusing as it may seem. All the blocks in a neighborhood would be more or less the same size.
Where I grew up there were (generally) 12 blocks to a mile, if I remember correctly.

Thanks all. All the same, I like this bit:

Quote:

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Ren is right

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.(Such a rarity!)

In the older neighborhoods where cities and towns are set up in grids, I believe that it is 12 blocks to a mile. But within the last 25 years or so with so much expansion and growth in the cities all that has changed. Take my little town, for example. In the older section of town (and I checked this on maps today), there are indeed 12 blocks to a mile. But in the newer sections, there are anywhere from 4-9 blocks in the mile. So in other words, if you live in the newer areas of town, and you go for a walk around the block, you're getting a longer workout than if you lived in the older section.

Edited to add: Oops, sorry Taesma, I didn't look at your link before I replied. And here I was checking out my town and I could have just looked it up.

Many towns are set out on a grid. Downtown Sacramento, CA's capital is very convenient because if you see 1842 H Street, you know it's a cross between the number and letter street. A block in that context would make sense to you.

When we grow up in the suburbs, we come to think of our neighborhood as 'our block' hence the number of expressions that came out of that term.

I've always missed this when I traveled.

Thanks, and yes Ren, I agree with you (another rarity), that you are seldom right!