Sometimes today you can hear the words of the Old Russian language.They are so deeply entered into the everyday life that without them it becomes dull and colorless.However, using such expressions, we are often not aware of their true value.
in this article Let's see what the word span, what is its length, and where did this term.
meaning of the word, and the types of spans
Slavs, the term has multiple meanings.The first three ("foot", "brush" and "small measure of area") were distributed fairly narrow - in some dialects of.
last value - the measure of length - was used very extensively and survived to this day.In its classic sense span - the distance between the tips of his index finger and thumb, which are separated in different directions.
If we compare it with other measures of the length in ancient Russia, the following picture.Span - a twelfth of fathoms, a quarter of a yard or four inches.If we talk about the western dimensions, it will be seven inches.
Estimated value of the measure of length - 18 cm.But there are different kinds of spans, we'll discuss this further.
Etymology
Scientists believe that this word is derived from the Proto-Slavic root "pёd", who later migrated into many languages.
basic meaning of words, part of which is the root of this are as follows.
Lithuanian and Latvian terms associated with setting snares and traps.West Slavic languages have similar words for "five", "a quarter of a yard" and "stretch".
That is, you will notice that span - a measure of length measurement that you need something to stretch.In fact it turns thumbs.A synonym is a word "quarter".
History of
in written monuments of Russian history such term is used for the first time in the twelfth century.However, even the approximate value was difficult to define it until I found records of pilgrims to the Holy Land.
These documents were written measure of the Holy Sepulchre.Pilgrims, being in Palestine at different times from the twelfth to the sixteenth century, called similar figures.Because of this it was deciphered, what is the span.This is how much the monks went not simply bow to the shrine, but also to fix it documented to leave these descendants!
How are we going to say next, spans all three types was common."Big", "small" and "a topsy-turvy."The first was approximately twenty-three, the second - of eighteen, and the third - twenty-seven or thirty-one centimeter.
many become interested why "a somersault."Very simple.This meant that the starting point set the end of the thumb, then put on the maximum distance the end of the index finger (which is about 18 cm).And then, as if continuing motion by inertia, release the thumb and index put on the side where the nail.We measure thus further two or three phalanges on.It turns out a kind of somersault.
By the way, the latest measure of length defined Academician Rybakov, studying construction.In Russia, the bricks were measured exactly span a somersault.
Since the sixteenth century, it is gradually disappearing from the urban use.It stay in the village (mentioned in the records of the thickness of the layer of snow on the fields) and in the religious sphere (measured value of images in churches).
During the reign of Ivan the Terrible in official documents appears the word "inch".Measure the length is now equal to one twelfth of fathoms.But her official life was short, and soon the same length called "quarters".
In the early eighteenth century, Peter the Great "hacked" a window to Europe and everything has changed in the Western manner.Since that period, the length is seven inches and six feet - seven feet.But in the national
hand span he lived until the early twentieth century and has been corrected only in the Soviet times.
However, this word can be heard now.But today, you're likely to hear a puzzling question: "span - this is how much?»
system measures
If you try to find a match, you can make a small plate.
In fact, in Russia there was no decimal number system as we have taken now.Therefore, such an approach will be of interest to those who try to understand the ancient written historical sources.
So, we remember that in the days of Ivan the Terrible span - a twelfth of fathoms, which in turn consisted of three yardstick.Sazhen, by the way, was the usual - 2 meters 13 centimeters - and slash - 2 meters 48 centimeters.
Thus, it turns out that an inch - a quarter of an inch.Foot (feet) - roughly two-inch, elbow - three yards - four measure (polsazheni) - six.Milestone also made about six thousand spans (although who wants to measure kilometer quarters ?!)
Modern science has officially inch - is 17.78 centimeters.
interesting fact is that a similar method of measuring the distance does not occur very often.The English tradition is the "Span" (about 23 centimeters), the length from the end of the little finger to the thumb.
In African tribes metered thumb and middle finger, and the value is called "Ungur."
span in literature and music
This measure is referred to the length of the different authors.In the twentieth century it is "floated" in the works of Vladimir Vysotsky, the song "We rotate the Earth."
also found in the span of work, "How the Steel Was Tempered" Nikolai Ostrovsky and "The Captain's Daughter" by Alexander Pushkin.
In addition, it is mentioned by authors such as Voronel, Ladin, Ilichevsky, Grigoriev, Vyazemsky, and many others.
Not always, however, in the works span - a measure of length.Sometimes synonymous with hands, feet, or a small piece of land, as stated above.
mention in folklore
In folklore, this word is used in the opposite case.
On the one hand span - is something small, if we talk about the area."Do not give an inch of land."
the other - a measure of growth."7 genius."This does not mean that the head of someone more than a meter in height.Forehead used to be called a teenager.It is estimated that 1 meter 30 centimeters - about the growth of thirteen boys in ancient Russia.
Also, these words can mean in an allegorical sense, and very intelligent man."If a large forehead, it means a lot of crazy in the head", previously thought.That is why there was such an expression.
Thus, the article you have learned not only the value and size of the span, but the history of its origin, the relationship with other units and examples of creativity.
Good luck to you, dear readers!
