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prettygoodwordrod (ROD) - n., a unit of length used especially in surveying equal to 5½ yards, 11 cubits, 16½ feet, or 5.0292 meters.
Also called a perch or a pole. Now deprecated but still shows up in old land plats. The first three equivalents were the former U.S. customary definition, the last is the current definition. The definition was useful in surveys because a strip 40 rods by 4 rods is exactly 1 acre. The name comes from an actual physical rod, used by surveyors when measuring land.
And that wraps up another week of weird old units, length edition. Back next week with the usual mix o' lexicals.
---L.
Also called a perch or a pole. Now deprecated but still shows up in old land plats. The first three equivalents were the former U.S. customary definition, the last is the current definition. The definition was useful in surveys because a strip 40 rods by 4 rods is exactly 1 acre. The name comes from an actual physical rod, used by surveyors when measuring land.
And that wraps up another week of weird old units, length edition. Back next week with the usual mix o' lexicals.
---L.
