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How Do You Measure Up??

By
Real Estate Agent with John L Scott Market Center 700512026

I'll bet you thought this would be one of those inspirational types of posts, but I actually got to thinking about measurements done in the form of old phrases, antiquated terms, idioms....like these:

1."As the crow flies"--how far you are from a certain place that may determine the shortest distance, not necessarily what your GPS will tell you

2."A stone's throw"--could be a short distance or long one depending upon if you're a 70 year old woman or a professional quarterback

3."One brick short of a full load"--don't ask for accurate measurements from this person

4."Two-fisted drinker"-definitely needs a designated driver

5."In the blink of an eye"-if you're Sammy Davis Jr, that's all you've got!

6."Over the river and through the woods" --whether you're going to Grandma's house or not, this is going to be a hike 

7."We're burnin' daylight"--(one of my personal favorites) stop wasting time and let's get a move on

8."Built like a brick s--thouse" often in reference to women, some think this is a compliment  Do not confuse this with #3

9."If it'd been a snake it'd bit ya!"--in reference to any husband who asks his wife where the such-and-such is--when it is right in front of them

10."I'll be with you in two shakes of a lamb's tail"--if you live in New York City, you probably don't use this oneLamb-Gayle Rich-Boxman Copyrighted All rights reserved 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Here are a couple I'll bet you've never used:

 

 
Some Finnish units of measurement include: peninkulma: The distance a barking dog can be heard in still air.päivämatka: The distance of one day's travel. poronkusema: The distance a reindeer can travel before needing to stop to urinate. – Hugo Nov 21 '11 at 12:52
 

In doing a bit of research, this came up as an interesting sidelight:

 

\You should note that in traditional systems of measurement the units were often based on dimensions of human body. According to wikipedia these were often specifically based on proportions given by Marcus Vitruvius Pollio:

Leonardo da Vinci: Vitruvian Man
Leonardo da Vinci: Vitruvian Man

There is an article that list anthropic units such as the yard, the span, the cubit, the Flemish ell, the English ell, the French ell, the fathom, the hand, and the foot.

If you read up on the history of these terms and how they become used, you will find that they all described some sort of human activity and that was the reason these were accepted as units of measurement.

NOTE: I found stone-throw as "steinkast – stone's throw, perhaps 25 favner, used to this day as a very approximate measure of a short distance." under Norwegian units of measure.

And lastly:

“She said she loved me, and I didn’t believe it for a minute. Maybe 59 seconds, but not a whole minute. I may be gullible, but I’m not without an accurate way to measure time.” 
― Jarod KintzThis Book is Not FOR SALE

Comments (19)

Brenda J. Andrew
ULTIMA REAL ESTATE - Willis, TX
Professional Realtor in Conroe/Willis, TX

That was great and just what I was looking for this morning.  I am #7!

Jan 14, 2016 10:04 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

Brenda J. Andrew LOVE #7 and I'm sure it derives from some old western! Thanks for becoming a new follower, too, I am honored. 

Jan 15, 2016 04:04 AM
Bruce Walter
Keller Williams Realty Lafayette/West Lafayette, Indiana - West Lafayette, IN

Gayle, what a fun post and so informative.  I just love the background on how words or phrases came to be!  Thanks for including those additional Finnish words!  My favorite word of measurement for you is:      CAPACIOUS       ^_~

Jan 14, 2016 10:12 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

Bruce Walter I know you do! Love that about you. I was familiar with capacious, but pressed, wouldn't have been able to give you a good definition. Now, there are a couple of Finnish words you can toss about in casual conversation!

Jan 15, 2016 06:12 AM
Roger D. Mucci
Shaken...with a Twist 216.633.2092 - Euclid, OH
Lets shake things up at your home today!

You knew I'd love this, but could you pick my favorite?  Alright, I'll tell.....#5.....almost had me roflmao!

Jan 14, 2016 10:17 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

That made my day, Roger D. Mucci  and I could even figure out roflmao!! (I wondered for about a 1/2 sec if I should do that, but what-the-hell....I thought, and then I wasn't sure if anyone would get it--thanks for being quick!)

Jan 15, 2016 06:14 AM
Roger D. Mucci

Totally got it and loved it, my kind of humor!

Jan 15, 2016 08:31 AM
Tamara Elliott-Deering
Central Metro Realty - Austin, TX

Here are a few of my own: "a football minute" what men mean when they say they'll take the garbage out "in a minute" - ever notice that a 60 minute American Football game takes around 4 hours but a 90 minute football (soccer to us) takes 2 hours?

a taco short of a combo plate - very much like your #3 above but also happens when Tequila is involved

Jan 14, 2016 10:42 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

Tamara Elliott-Deering should I ever tackle writing a book about this (which I've tossed around for years), I will most definitely include these two gems! My dad was probably famous for the "football minute"!

Jan 15, 2016 06:16 AM
Bill Roberts
Brooks and Dunphy Real Estate - Oceanside, CA
"Baby Boomer" Retirement Planner

Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Realtor (503)755-2905 What's "up"? What are you "up" to? I really want  to know how high is "up."

Bill Roberts

Jan 14, 2016 11:22 PM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

Oh, Bill Roberts aren't YOU the quick one!!?? This sounds like a good George Carlin monologue.

Jan 15, 2016 06:17 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

I've heard them all and use but one or two Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Realtor (503)755-2905.  Thanks for the smile this morning! 

Jan 15, 2016 12:02 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

OH, Paul S. Henderson, Realtor, Broker, Tacoma Washington which ones do you use??

Jan 15, 2016 06:17 AM
Beth Atalay
Cam Realty and Property Management - Clermont, FL
Cam Realty of Clermont FL

Good morning Gayle, all great ones, my pick would be #3. I'm going to bookmark this, great post!

Jan 15, 2016 12:13 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

@Beth happy to accomodate, my dear!! Thx for the bookmark. 

Jan 15, 2016 06:18 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

I'm off to walk the dogs, but I'll be back in a New York Minute! Thanks for enjoying this...I had a blast writing it.

Jan 15, 2016 12:40 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Gayle,

Very fun post, one my favorites is a Russian one. Translated it says "What the Cat Cried".  It refers to those who are not generous contributors or don't contribute at all...the equivalent of cat tears which are few and far between unless they have a cold. LOL A

Jan 15, 2016 01:10 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

There might be a few bloggers and politicians that we could use this phrase with. 


Certainly, a new one on me Ron and Alexandra Seigel!

Jan 15, 2016 06:19 AM
Brian England
Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ
MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

Very neat, your posts are always so much fun!  I seem to use a lot of these in my daily interactions with others, haha.

Jan 15, 2016 02:04 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

Do ya, now? Hopefully not #8... Brian England 

Jan 15, 2016 06:20 AM
Belinda Spillman
Aspen Lane Real Estate Colorful Colorado - Aurora, CO
Colorado Living!

This is great.  When someone asks me how far something is, I ask them "are you talking miles or minutes?"  

Jan 15, 2016 02:27 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

There was one of those, but I ran out of time to come up with a quick quip to that one. 

Jan 15, 2016 06:20 AM
Amanda S. Davidson
Amanda Davidson Real Estate Group Brokered By Real - Alexandria, VA
Alexandria Virginia Homes For Sale

Gayle, such a fun post, I love it! I use #3 frequently, my Grandmother taught me that saying haha. 

Jan 15, 2016 02:58 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

A grandma was mentioned in relationship to #9. Not sure where #3 came up in my life, but it's one I've known for quite awhile. 

Jan 15, 2016 06:21 AM
Dick Greenberg
New Paradigm Partners LLC - Fort Collins, CO
Northern Colorado Residential Real Estate

Hi Gayle - Cool post. One of my local favorites is "More (insert item name here) than you can shake a stick at".

Jan 15, 2016 03:43 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

And what are some of those items, Dick Greenberg??

Jan 15, 2016 06:22 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

This post was inspired by Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint who used the (actual) measurement of a "stone's throw to the river" in a recent post--thanks, Mark!

Jan 15, 2016 06:24 AM
Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint-Idaho

Geez Gayle, Now I am wondering if I should break out the tape measure instead.  lol  The picture will lend to accuracy I believe.  Great fun post.  Mark  Did you get your note on Athena?

Jan 15, 2016 06:29 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate

Not sure what you mean, about note on Athena, Mark Don McInnes, Sandpoint?

Jan 15, 2016 10:50 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

I know I have used a few of those and still do at times.  Some expressions offer so much more than the reality.

Jan 15, 2016 06:56 AM
Chris Ann Cleland
Long and Foster Real Estate - Gainesville, VA
Associate Broker, Bristow, VA

Never heard the two fisted drinker one, but I know a few that might fit that description.

Jan 15, 2016 08:08 AM
Roy Kelley
Retired - Gaithersburg, MD

Thanks for sharing these old sayings and some memories.

I hope you are enjoying a most productive week.

 

Jan 15, 2016 08:57 AM
Inna Ivchenko
Barcode Properties - Encino, CA
Realtor® • GRI • HAFA • PSC Calabasas CA

The most amazing for me is time: most of the time it flies by so fast, but during the stressful moments it stops..

Jan 15, 2016 04:42 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Realtor (503)755-2905 ,

These old sayings I had almost forgotten! What a wonderful list..made me chuckle as many of these my day use to say! Thanks for the fun this morning.

Jan 15, 2016 09:08 PM