An "ell" is an antiquated unit of length that has been historically used in various countries, including England, Scotland, and Germany. The length of an ell could vary depending on the region and the specific purpose, but it was typically used to measure cloth or textiles. The term "ell" is derived from the Latin word "ulna," which means "forearm," as the length of an ell was often based on the length of a person's forearm.
Different regions had their own variations of the ell, but some common measurements include:
English Ell: In England, the English ell was approximately 45 inches or 1.143 meters.
Scottish Ell: In Scotland, the Scottish ell was longer, measuring around 37 inches or 0.94 meters.
French Ell: In France, the French ell, also known as the aune, was used and had its own variations, but it was typically around 1.188 meters.
Flemish Ell: In parts of Europe, including Belgium and the Netherlands, the Flemish ell was used, which was approximately 27 inches or 0.686 meters.
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 Like many traditional units of measurement, it has largely been replaced by more standardized systems, such as the metric system, in modern times.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.