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Length/Distance | Convert from fathom [ancient] to ell [Scotland] |
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Common Length Conversions Metric Length Conversions Unit Definition (fathom [ancient]) A fathom is a unit of measure equal to 2 yards or 6 feet, or 1.8288 metres. The name of the unit derives from the Old English word fæthm meaning 'outstretched arms' which was the original definition of the unit's measure. Unit Definition (ell [Scotland]) See the English El (or Ell). This Scottish length is shorter than the English El. It may reflect an old practice of cloth merchants in giving an extra inch with each yard, to allow for any irregular cutting at the ends of the piece. However, the English cloth ell is definitely longer than the yard; it seems to be the distance from the shoulder to the fingers of the opposite hand. This reflects a practice of cloth merchants of holding the cloth at the shoulder with one hand and pulling the piece through with the opposite hand. This cloth ell was used with a similar length in France, where it was called the aune. The Dutch el and German elle are a little more than half the English ell; they may represent "arm's-length" units like the Italian braccio, the Russian sadzhen, and the Turkish pik
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