Riding

:This article is about the riding as a unit of local government and as an electoral district; for usage of the more common homonym, a form of the verb to ride, see horse and related articles such as riding animal.

Related Topics:
Horse - Riding animal

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In the British Isles since Anglo-saxon times and in modern times in Canada, a riding is traditionally a sub-division (especially in three) of a county, in Australia analogous. The word is a corruption of the Old Norse þriðing (thridhing or thrithing) meaning a third part. The term was also used in 19th century Canada to refer to sub-divisions of counties - today, the word riding is a semi-official term for an electoral district. A common misconception holds that the term arose from some association between the size of the district and the distance that can be covered on horseback in a certain amount time.

Related Topics:
British Isles - Canada - County - Australia - Old Norse - 19th century - Electoral district

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