The "archin" is an obsolete unit of length that was historically used in Russia and other parts of the former Soviet Union. The length of an archin varied by region and over time, but it was typically around 28 inches or approximately 71 centimeters. In some regions, an archin could be slightly shorter or longer.
The archin was used for measuring cloth, textiles, and sometimes land. Like many traditional units of measurement, it has largely been replaced by more standardized systems, such as the metric system, in modern times. While the archin is no longer commonly used for official measurements, it may still be encountered in historical or traditional contexts in Russia and other former Soviet states.
A "barleycorn" is a small unit of length that was historically used for measuring small lengths or sizes of objects, particularly in some English-speaking countries. It is based on the length of an average grain of barley.
In the traditional English system of measurement, one barleycorn is equal to approximately 1/3 of an inch or about 0.8467 centimeters. This unit was used for measuring short lengths, such as the length of a person's foot for shoe sizing.
While the barleycorn is not commonly used in modern times for scientific or everyday measurements, it has historical significance, especially in the context of footwear sizing. Some traditional shoe sizing systems still reference barleycorns, where each size increase or decrease corresponds to the length of a barleycorn. However, most modern countries have adopted standardized shoe sizing systems based on centimeters or inches for more precise and consistent measurements.