A "twip" is a unit of measurement used in desktop publishing and computer graphics, especially in the context of Microsoft Windows. The term "twip" is an abbreviation for "twentieth of a point," and it is used to define very small distances and sizes.
In the twip system:
1 twip is equal to 1/20th of a point. 1 point (abbreviated as "pt") is equal to approximately 20 twips.
Because a point is roughly 1/72nd of an inch, 1 twip is approximately 1/1440th of an inch (or about 1/567 millimeters).
Twips are used in various applications, including word processing, graphics design, and layout software. They are particularly valuable for precise positioning and sizing of elements on a computer screen or when preparing documents for printing. The twip system is commonly used in Microsoft Windows-based applications and the Windows Graphics Device Interface (GDI).
For example, in Microsoft Word, you can set paragraph spacing or element positioning in twips to achieve fine control over the layout of your documents.
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.