Slangora

buckwheat coal

Buckwheat coal is an American coal trade term for a specific size grade of anthracite — small, roughly marble-sized pieces named for their resemblance in size to buckwheat grains.

ˈbʌˌkwit ˈkoʊl56 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🗺️ Regional & Other
2 definitions
Community

Definitions

#1·Apr 28, 2026

Buckwheat coal is an American coal trade term for a specific size grade of anthracite — small, roughly marble-sized pieces named for their resemblance in size to buckwheat grains. The American anthracite industry developed an elaborate sizing system from the largest sizes ('steamboat,' 'broken') down to tiny fragments ('rice,' 'barley,' 'buckwheat'). The term is technical and historical, belonging to the specialised vocabulary of the Pennsylvania anthracite coal trade.

The furnace ran best on buckwheat coal, which fed steadily without the clinkering problems of larger sizes.
Origin: Named for the resemblance in size to buckwheat grains; part of the standard anthracite size classification system of the Pennsylvania coal trade. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora.
Was this helpful?

Comments

#2·Apr 27, 2026

(US) small-sized anthracite coal.

Was this helpful?

Comments

Have a better definition?

Add your own interpretation of "buckwheat coal".

Add definition

🗺️About Regional & Other slang

Regional slang from around the English-speaking world — British, Australian, Irish, Caribbean, Nigerian, Filipino, AAVE, and the hyphenated-English dialects that make the internet sound local.

See all Regional & Other slang on Slangora.

Tags

Other words near "buckwheat coal" (B)

Browse all slang words starting with B.

Related terms

People also read

Semantically related