The Space Between Trivia Quiz

Answer: Measurement

The word metrology comes from the Ancient Greek words metron, or measure, and logos (study of), combined to make the science of measurement. The concept of metrology applies not only to distance or length, but also to justice, public safety, health and anything with a measurable standard.

Meteorology is the science of weather, while petrology is the study of rocks.

Answer: 75 (3)

The Ancient Egyptians had a sophisticated system of measurements, as clearly evidenced by the pyramids. For linear measures, they used a notched rod, similar to a modern ruler, for uniform standards. One large measure of capacity was a khar (sack) equivalent to 75.2 litres.

Answer: Cloth

An ell is nearly obsolete, but when used it is to measure fabric or cloth. Measured from elbow to fingertip, an ell was 18 inches, or 45cm; however, since the time of Elizabeth I, in England the standard measurement for an ell was 45 inches.

In architecture, the word ell, coming from elbow, applies to things that have a right angle, such as a right-angled bend in a pipe or the wing of a building at right angles to the rest of the building.

Answer: Foot

As with most measures of length, the standard for the foot, now set at 12 inches, used to vary according to the country in which it was applied. The use of the foot as a standard is largely obsolete, except in the USA and when measuring the altitude of aircraft.

Pes is an anatomical term applied to the foot, with 'pes planus' being the condition known as flat-footedness or fallen arches.

Answer: Cricket

A cricket pitch measures 22 yards between the stumps, and is just over three meters wide, at ten feet. The standards for the size of a cricket pitch were set before the change to metric. The stumps, or wicket, consist of wooden poles, three in a row at each end with two bails on top, which are protected by the batsman. The length of the pitch is measured between the stumps.

In most countries the pitch is made from grass that has been mowed short to enable the ball to bounce high. A grassier pitch is more likely to favour spin bowling.

Answer: Royal palm

An ordinary palm was three inches (around 7.5cm), the equivalent of the width of four fingers, measured across the palm of a hand. The Royal Palm was approximately 21 inches, or 52.5cm.

Royal Palm Beach is a suburb in south-east Florida, USA.

Answer: Bhitta

Most countries had a measure equivalent to a span. The shibiri was from Africa, the arasz from Hungary and the khuep from Thailand. Anthropic measures were common, as people always had their hands and feet with them! Set standards for measure were very gradually agreed over time as international trade became more extensive.

Answer: Horses

The standard method for measuring the height of a horse is from the ground, just beside the front foreleg to the top of the high part of the back of the horse, located between the shoulder blades (withers).

Small horse breeds such as ponies and miniature horses may also be measured in centimetres or in inches rather than hands.

Answer: 18

A cubit is measured the same way as an ell, from the tip of the middle finger to the elbow. In fact, cubitum is the Latin word for elbow. The Palermo Stone (so known because it resides in the Salinas Regional Archaeological Museum in Palermo, Italy) includes a reference to flood levels of the Nile, in cubits: 'six cubits and one palm'.

Answer: Fathom

A fathom is the equivalent of 1.83 metres, or six feet. Its primary use was in the measuring of the depth of water to ensure the safe passage of a ship or riverboat. A rope, marked at six foot intervals, would be gradually let out, with a sailor calling out the depth to the pilot: 'Mark one, mark twain, mark trey', and so on.

Samuel Clemens' life around riverboats as a young man led him to adopt the pen name Mark Twain.