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.
"Aln" is a unit of length that is used in some parts of Scandinavia, particularly in Sweden and Norway. The term "aln" is derived from the Old Norse word "alinn," which means "forearm." Historically, it was a common unit of measurement for cloth, textiles, and land.
The exact length of an aln could vary by region, but it was generally around 2 Swedish feet or approximately 59.4 centimeters (or about 23.4 inches) in Sweden. In Norway, an aln was somewhat longer, typically around 62.7 centimeters (about 24.7 inches).
The use of the aln as a standard unit of measurement has largely been replaced by the metric system in Scandinavia and most parts of the world, but it may still be referenced in historical or traditional contexts.