Odd Words in the English Language
-
- Deceased
- Posts: 4069
- Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2008 1:26 pm
- Location: uk
Re: Odd Words in the English Language
huahinjim. Being pedantic, fortnight describe nights therefore the days before and after would not be included.
Woke up this morning breathing that's a good start to the day.
Re: Odd Words in the English Language
Actually, you're quite correct. For 2 weeks, the french would say quinze jours (15 days) but of course the direct translation of 'fourteen nights' would be quatorze nuits
-
- Ace
- Posts: 1748
- Joined: Fri Apr 26, 2013 11:58 pm
Re: Odd Words in the English Language
For those who remember the programme, Call my bluff, the only word I actually knew for sure was "orts". Big Boy might know the answer.
- pharvey
- Moderator
- Posts: 13913
- Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 10:21 am
- Location: Sir Fynwy - God's Country
Re: Odd Words in the English Language
Not heard that one for a while!! Some other "Northern Words" from many moons ago working on site in Yorkshire and geared to measurement: -oakdale160 wrote: ↑Mon Mar 23, 2020 10:13 am One that has faded and even when it was used it was quite Northern. YONDER --- you said "over there" if it was something close but "Over yonder" if it was some distance away.
"Twaddle" (Density), "Chain" (Length).... Had me scratching my head at the time!!
"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things" - Yma o Hyd.
- pharvey
- Moderator
- Posts: 13913
- Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 10:21 am
- Location: Sir Fynwy - God's Country
Re: Odd Words in the English Language
"Scraps" in my book.....arcadianagain wrote: ↑Tue Mar 24, 2020 4:22 pm For those who remember the programme, Call my bluff, the only word I actually knew for sure was "orts". Big Boy might know the answer.
"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things" - Yma o Hyd.
-
- Deceased
- Posts: 4069
- Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2008 1:26 pm
- Location: uk
Re: Odd Words in the English Language
Rod, roods, poles and perches are more old measurements.
Woke up this morning breathing that's a good start to the day.
- pharvey
- Moderator
- Posts: 13913
- Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 10:21 am
- Location: Sir Fynwy - God's Country
Re: Odd Words in the English Language
Seem to remember a "Rod" - 5 odd meters? Can't say I can remember "Poles" or "Perches" though (apart from our European friends and things birds rest on)!!lindosfan1 wrote: ↑Tue Mar 24, 2020 6:01 pm Rod, roods, poles and perches are more old measurements.
"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things" - Yma o Hyd.
Re: Odd Words in the English Language
That prompted me to look at olde English measurements.
Poppyseed
1⁄4 or 1⁄5 of a barleycorn[7]
Line
1⁄4 of a barleycorn[8]
Barleycorn
1⁄3 of an inch, the notional base unit under the Composition of Yards and Perches.
Digit
3⁄4 inch
Finger
7⁄8 inch
Inch
3 barleycorns (the historical legal definition)
Nail
3 digits = 2 1⁄4 inches = 1⁄16 yard
Palm
3 inches
Hand
4 inches
Shaftment
Width of the hand and outstretched thumb, 6 1⁄2 inches before 1066, 6 thereafter
Link
7.92 inches or one 100th of a chain.[9]
Span
Width of the outstretched hand, from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger, 3 palms = 9 inches.
Foot
Prior to the Anglo-Saxon invasions, the Roman foot of 11.65 inches (296 mm) was used. The Anglo-Saxons introduced a North-German foot of 13.2 inches (335 mm), divided into 4 palms or 12 thumbs, while the Roman foot continued to be used in the construction crafts. In the late 13th century, the modern foot of 304.8 mm was introduced, equal to exactly 10⁄11 Anglo-Saxon foot.
Cubit
From fingertips to elbow, 18 inches.
Yard (= Ulna)
3 feet = 36 inches, the practical base unit as the length of the prototype bar held by the Crown or Exchequer.
Ell
From fingertip of outstretched arm to opposite shoulder, 20 nails = 1 1⁄4 yard or 45 inches. Mostly for measuring cloth.
Fathom
Distance between arms outstretched, from fingertip to fingertip, equalling 6 feet.
Rod (= perch) (= pole)
Used for surveying land and in architecture. The rod is the same length today as in Anglo-Saxon times, although its composition in terms of feet were changed by the Composition of Yards and Perches from 15 feet to 16 1⁄2. The pole is commonly used as a measurement for Allotment Gardens. (See also perch as an area and a volume unit.)
Chain
four linear rods. Named after the length of surveyor's chain used to measure distances until quite recently. Any of several actual chains used for land surveying and divided in links. Gunter's chain, introduced in the 17th century, is 66 feet.
Furlong (= stade)
Notionally the distance a plough team could furrow without rest, but actually a measure of 40 rods or 600 feet prior to the Composition of Yards and Perches and 40 rods or 660 feet afterwards.
Mile
Originally the Roman mile alternatively reckoned as 5000 feet, 1000 paces, or 8 stades but adjusted to 5280 feet in 1593 to account for the differences introduced to these methods of reckoning by the Composition of Yards and Perches.
League
Notionally an hour's travel, but usually reckoned as three miles. Approximate length of the traditional "mile" in German and Scandinavian countries.
SHAFTMENT - great word.
Poppyseed
1⁄4 or 1⁄5 of a barleycorn[7]
Line
1⁄4 of a barleycorn[8]
Barleycorn
1⁄3 of an inch, the notional base unit under the Composition of Yards and Perches.
Digit
3⁄4 inch
Finger
7⁄8 inch
Inch
3 barleycorns (the historical legal definition)
Nail
3 digits = 2 1⁄4 inches = 1⁄16 yard
Palm
3 inches
Hand
4 inches
Shaftment
Width of the hand and outstretched thumb, 6 1⁄2 inches before 1066, 6 thereafter
Link
7.92 inches or one 100th of a chain.[9]
Span
Width of the outstretched hand, from the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger, 3 palms = 9 inches.
Foot
Prior to the Anglo-Saxon invasions, the Roman foot of 11.65 inches (296 mm) was used. The Anglo-Saxons introduced a North-German foot of 13.2 inches (335 mm), divided into 4 palms or 12 thumbs, while the Roman foot continued to be used in the construction crafts. In the late 13th century, the modern foot of 304.8 mm was introduced, equal to exactly 10⁄11 Anglo-Saxon foot.
Cubit
From fingertips to elbow, 18 inches.
Yard (= Ulna)
3 feet = 36 inches, the practical base unit as the length of the prototype bar held by the Crown or Exchequer.
Ell
From fingertip of outstretched arm to opposite shoulder, 20 nails = 1 1⁄4 yard or 45 inches. Mostly for measuring cloth.
Fathom
Distance between arms outstretched, from fingertip to fingertip, equalling 6 feet.
Rod (= perch) (= pole)
Used for surveying land and in architecture. The rod is the same length today as in Anglo-Saxon times, although its composition in terms of feet were changed by the Composition of Yards and Perches from 15 feet to 16 1⁄2. The pole is commonly used as a measurement for Allotment Gardens. (See also perch as an area and a volume unit.)
Chain
four linear rods. Named after the length of surveyor's chain used to measure distances until quite recently. Any of several actual chains used for land surveying and divided in links. Gunter's chain, introduced in the 17th century, is 66 feet.
Furlong (= stade)
Notionally the distance a plough team could furrow without rest, but actually a measure of 40 rods or 600 feet prior to the Composition of Yards and Perches and 40 rods or 660 feet afterwards.
Mile
Originally the Roman mile alternatively reckoned as 5000 feet, 1000 paces, or 8 stades but adjusted to 5280 feet in 1593 to account for the differences introduced to these methods of reckoning by the Composition of Yards and Perches.
League
Notionally an hour's travel, but usually reckoned as three miles. Approximate length of the traditional "mile" in German and Scandinavian countries.
SHAFTMENT - great word.
Re: Odd Words in the English Language
Chain - very important in cricket.
Re: Odd Words in the English Language
Yes of course HHTel. But as with many words / expressions there is not always a direct translation from one country's usage to another's. Same same but different. Now more importantly are the bars closed for a fortnight or 14 days?
Back to topic - -I am still trying to understand all those Olde English measurements. Wonder how long that will take?!!
- pharvey
- Moderator
- Posts: 13913
- Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 10:21 am
- Location: Sir Fynwy - God's Country
Re: Odd Words in the English Language
Absolutely! Bizarre measurement - 22 yards from memory?
"Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things" - Yma o Hyd.
- pharvey
- Moderator
- Posts: 13913
- Joined: Sat Aug 29, 2009 10:21 am
- Location: Sir Fynwy - God's Country
-
- Ace
- Posts: 1748
- Joined: Fri Apr 26, 2013 11:58 pm
Re: Odd Words in the English Language
Pretty much, Pharvey, more precisely leftover food which can be made into another meal.pharvey wrote: ↑Tue Mar 24, 2020 5:57 pm"Scraps" in my book.....arcadianagain wrote: ↑Tue Mar 24, 2020 4:22 pm For those who remember the programme, Call my bluff, the only word I actually knew for sure was "orts". Big Boy might know the answer.
- dtaai-maai
- Hero
- Posts: 14268
- Joined: Mon Jul 30, 2007 10:00 pm
- Location: UK, Robin Hood country
Re: Odd Words in the English Language
"Leftovers" in our family, which were often turned into bubble and squeak, one of my favourites that I still make today. (In fact, I often create leftovers specially for that purpose! )
This is the way
- Dannie Boy
- Hero
- Posts: 12264
- Joined: Wed Jan 13, 2010 8:12 pm
- Location: Closer to Cha Am than Hua Hin
Re: Odd Words in the English Language
Yes, Monday’s staple after the traditional Sunday Roast!!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk