FARTHER/FURTHER in grammar

The Associated Press uses “farther” to refer to physical distance and on “further” to refer to an extent of time or degree.

The Online etymology dictionary says there is no historical basis for this distinction. It simply says "further" was based on an Old English word, a variant was "ferther" in the 1300's (now extinct), and a variant was "farther" in the 1400's.

The word "farrer" survived until 1600's.

EDIT: That should be "deal" in the poll.

I wrote in: I'm not further from the bigot,
I'm a bigot..

But there is a difference. It's proper for a
judge to say 'Do you have anything further
to say, counselor?' If he said farther, it
wouldn't make any sense.

Further your cause, further the argument,
further your enjoyment. Farther would be
wrong. If something is far away, it's even
farther away a few minutes later if it's
moving away from you. Not further.

Quote: Evenbob

Further your cause, further the argument, further your enjoyment. Farther would be wrong.

Yes, I should have mentioned that point. Only "further" can be used as a verb. The word "farther" is never a verb. The claim was that there was no historical difference between the use of the words as adjectives or adverbs.

When he suspected past posting, the dealer moved the stack of chips even further away from the player.

When he suspected past posting, the dealer moved the stack of chips even farther away from the player.

Is one wrong?

Try saying "Farthermore." It's hilarious ;)