Measuring Up - Part 1 of 2

Date: 5/23/2005

Compiled by www.TriviaQueen

Ever wondered why we abbreviate pound and ounce as "lb" and"oz" when there's no L, B, or Z in the words? The Latin word for pound, libra, gave us our abbreviation "lb." The Italian ounce was called 'onzia', leaving us with 'oz'. 'Tun' was the early Anglo-Saxon word for tub or vat, giving us our ton. The Anglo-Saxon word for a man's waist measurement or girth was 'gyrd', which became our yard. The Romans decreed the width of the thumb was one inch, and that 12 thumbs equaled one foot-length. The Latin word 'uncia' meaning one-twelfth, was shortened to 'unch' and gave us our inch.

Sincerely,

Chris & Dan

Curious Co-Publishers

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Measuring Up - Part 1 of 2

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