What is the measurement of 5.7 cm called?

Answer 1

The measurement you are referring to to is a nail. 1 nail = 3 digits = 21⁄4 inches = 1⁄16 yard = 5.715cm

The measurement dates back to Anglo-Saxon England. The Anglo-Saxon system started with the most basic unit of measurement being a poppyseed, which was approximately 1/4 barleycorn.

3 barleycorns (the length of 3 corns) = 1 inch

This archaic measure is still the basis for current UK and U.S. shoe sizes, with the largest shoe size taken as thirteen inches (a size 13) and then counting backwards in barleycorn units, although the original derivation was: less than 13 barleycorns: infants with no shoes; 13 to 26 barleycorns: children's sizes 1 to 12; 26 to 39 barleycorns: men's sizes 1 to 13.

Other units of measurement were:

The digit: 3/4 inch

The finger: 7/8 inch

Palm: 3 inches,

Hand: 4 inches,

Shaftment: 61/2 inches (reduced to 6 inches after 1066),

Span: = 3 palms = 9 inches,

Foot: originally 13 inches, 12 inches after 1066,

Cubit: 18 inches

Ell: = 20 nails = 45 inches = 11/4 yards,

Yard (introduced after 1066) = 3 feet = 36 inches

Fathom: 6 feet

Rod: Originally 20 feet (260 inches), after 1066 redefined as 161/2 feet, (198 inches)

Chain: = 4 rods,

Furlong: Originally the distance a plough team could be driven without rest. Now deemed to be 660 feet, 40 rods or 10 chains,

Mile: Originally like the Roman mile set at 5000 feet. The Roman mile was divided into 8 stadia. The closest English equivalent was the furlong, so the mile was increased to 5,280 feet to accommodate 8 furlongs,

League: Approximately 3 miles, the distance travelled in 1 hour