A furlong is a unit of length that is used primarily in horse racing and some other sports, as well as in some older systems of measurement. In modern terms, one furlong is equal to 1/8th of a mile. This is equivalent to 660 feet or 220 yards.
The term "furlong" has historical roots and was originally used in medieval England as a way to measure distances for plowing fields. Over time, it became associated with horse racing and is still used today to describe the length of a horse racing track. In horse racing, races are often measured in furlongs, and the distance of a race may be referred to as "6 furlongs" or "10 furlongs," for example.
While the furlong is not commonly used in everyday measurements, it is still relevant in certain specialized contexts, particularly in horse racing and related sports.
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.