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.
"Vara de tarea" is a term that can be translated from Spanish to mean "task pole" or "work pole." In some Spanish-speaking regions, particularly in Mexico and parts of Central America, "vara de tarea" is a traditional unit of length used to measure land.
The length of a "vara de tarea" can vary by region, but it is typically around 4 meters (approximately 13.1 feet) or slightly longer. It was historically used for land measurement, especially in rural and agricultural areas, to define property boundaries and land plots for farming or other tasks.
It's important to note that "vara de tarea" is a localized and regional unit of measurement and may not be widely recognized or used in other Spanish-speaking countries or regions. The use of standardized metric or imperial units is more common in modern times.