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When the metric system was introduced there were some new words to learn: the meter was the basis for linear measurement, the liter liquid and dry, they are for areal, and the gram for mass or weight. But some of the old terms were retained and given metric equivalents. | When the metric system was introduced there were some new words to learn: the meter was the basis for linear measurement, the liter for liquid and for dry, they are for areal, and the gram for mass or weight. But some of the old terms were retained and given metric equivalents. | ||
Thus: | Thus: | ||
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<u>''' | <u>'''Linear's Measure:'''</u> | ||
'''alen '''- two fodder or 0.6275 meters or two feet 3/4 inches in the englisth system. | '''alen '''- two fodder or 0.6275 meters or two feet 3/4 inches in the englisth system. | ||
'''fjerding(er)''' - a quarter of a mil, then as now. Now equal to two and a half kilometers or 1. 5425 English miles. | '''fjerding(er)''' - a quarter of a mil (norwegian mile), then as now. Now equal to two and a half kilometers or 1. 5425 English miles. | ||
'''fod(der) or fo(tter)''' - a term meaning foot divided into 12 tommer. Or 0,31374 meters or 1.03 English feet. | '''fod(der) or fo(tter)''' - a term meaning foot divided into 12 tommer. Or 0,31374 meters or 1.03 English feet. | ||
'''mil -- after 1824, 18,000 alen or 11.3 kilometers'''. '''In 1874 the distance of 10 kilometers or 6.2 English miles'''. | '''mil (norwegian)-- after 1824, 18,000 alen or 11.3 kilometers'''. '''In 1874 the distance of 10 kilometers or 6.2 English miles'''. | ||
'''tomme(r) '''- about an inch, a term meaning thumb. There were 12 tommer in a fod (fot). | '''tomme(r) '''- about an inch, a term meaning thumb. There were 12 tommer in a fod (fot). | ||
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'''pund '''- a unit equal now to 498 grams or slightly more than an English pound. Same as the skålpund. | '''pund '''- a unit equal now to 498 grams or slightly more than an English pound. Same as the skålpund. | ||
'''skippund '''- before 1877 when one skippund was set at 160 kilograms, it was equal to one våg, but the weight varied from district to district. During the Middle Ages the skippund was much larger trade weight in both Scandinavia and Germany and was equal to slightly more than 300 pounds. In | '''skippund '''- before 1877 when one skippund was set at 160 kilograms, it was equal to one våg, but the weight varied from district to district. During the Middle Ages the skippund was a much larger trade weight in both Scandinavia and Germany and was equal to slightly more than 300 pounds. In Norway it varied in value up to 350 pounds. | ||
'''Skålpund or skaalpund '''- Same as the pund. | '''Skålpund or skaalpund '''- Same as the pund. | ||
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<u>'''Hud and Skinn'''</u> | <u>'''Hud and Skinn'''</u> | ||
The words for hides and skins, i.e., tanned leather, deserve special mention. Leather in itself appers to have been a trade comodity used as it was for so many finished products from shoes to | The words for hides and skins, i.e., tanned leather, deserve special mention. Leather in itself appers to have been a trade comodity used as it was for so many finished products from shoes to harnesses, to furniture, to book covers. Wealthy merchants are known to have covered their walls with engraved and painted leather panels. | ||
One hud (cow hide) was equal to 12 skinn, usually a Kalvskinn (calf skin) to 6 geitskinn (nanny goat hide). To complicate matters, a fettling was the foot on one skin, a | One hud (cow hide) was equal to 12 skinn, usually a Kalvskinn (calf skin) to 6 geitskinn (nanny goat hide). To complicate matters, a fettling was the foot on one skin, a mall piece of very little value. | ||
The abbreviations for all of these terms were not standardized and often depended solely on the writer's recorder's habit. Kalvskinn might be abbreviated ksk in one place and Klvs in another. Spelling, often phonetic, varies, of course. | The abbreviations for all of these terms were not standardized and often depended solely on the writer's or recorder's habit. Kalvskinn might be abbreviated ksk in one place and Klvs in another. Spelling, often phonetic, varies, of course. | ||
The plurals for the terms indicated - not used throughout - were generally formed by adding 'er'. The exceptions were the maculine nouns which retained the same spelling in the plural form. | The plurals for the terms indicated - not used throughout - were generally formed by adding 'er'. The exceptions were the maculine nouns which retained the same spelling in the plural form. | ||
This discussion of the old weights and measures may have seemed more complicated than is warranted, but these are terms which we have found in our use of the older local historical and genealogical | This discussion of the old weights and measures may have seemed more complicated than is warranted, but these are terms which we have found in our use of the older local historical and genealogical sources. An understanding of the terms should make the reference come alive. | ||