Comments on: Body Parts as Tools of Measurement

By: J Spin

J Spin — Fri, 04 Jun 2010 17:24:27 +0000

“But – what is the dimension of “head” as “she was a head shorter than the guy next to her?” What would be the assumed difference in their heights?”

In this case, if “she” were standing in front of the gentleman, rather than next to him, you would only see him from the chin up….

In drawing books the body is often divided up by heads as a means of establishing overall perportion. Quite literally it is the measurement of a “head”.

By: Web Designing Quotes

Web Designing Quotes — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 18:35:38 +0000

What an interesting post! Another measurement that I use is an inch, made by bending my ring finger into a tabletop shape.

By: Brad K.

Brad K. — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:22:53 +0000

The the yard – nose to extended arm/finger tip was a half-fathom.

But – what is the dimension of “head” as “she was a head shorter than the guy next to her?” What would be the assumed difference in their heights?

By: Maeve

Maeve — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 19:00:14 +0000

Paul
Old English faethm was “the length of the outstretched arm,” about six feet.

Careless writing on my part. Two thoughts without adequate transition. The definition for the OE word = “the length of an outstretched arm.” I conclude that the word took on the later meaning of both arms stretched out as far as they would go.

By: Deborah Hendrick

Deborah Hendrick — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:37:20 +0000

The span of my outstretched hand is eight inches, and I have used it many times when sewing or shopping. My husband’s normal walking stride is just about three feet, which is even handier