Old/colloquial measurements

[kernowmaid]

Reading @GrannyBarb 's thread on "outs" has got me thinking ...

Is there a list somewhere of words that were perfectly understandable in their day, but nowadays are meaningless to the reader?

My example is the GALLON - used to measure SOLIDS.
Back in 1960, my parents moved us from Yorkshire to Cornwall - where they ran the local grocer's.
They were baffled by the villagers requests for "a gallon of potatoes" & "a half-gallon of potatoes" - which the ex-grocer informed them meant 10lb/5lb.

Whether this was particular to the Clay District/the whole of Cornwall/nationwide - I don't know.
Whether this applied only to potatoes - I don't know.
But once my generation has gone ... will it baffle future historians?

Today, a (brief) internet search for the definition of "Gallon" appears to only refer to liquid measurement.

And what about the abbreviation "lb"? Will the researchers of the future know that it is pronounced "pound"?
And WHY is it "lb" anyway?

Ooh, I'm full of questions this morning! Look out world !
Maybe I should go back to bed ...

Jane

 

[Daft Bat]

The University of Nottingham has an interesting guide:

https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/manuscriptsandspecialcollections/researchguidance/weightsandmeasures/volumes.aspx

Amongst the information is the following:
There were actually various different gallon measurements in existence in England and Wales. You used a different gallon depending on what it was you were measuring. The traditional corn gallon used to measure dry goods, as defined in 1696 and known as the 'Winchester Measure', measured 268.8 cubic inches. There was also an ale gallon, measuring 282 cubic inches, and a wine gallon measuring 231 cubic inches.

They also explain:

The abbreviation 'lb' comes from the Latin word for pound, 'libra', which was also used for the monetary pound (£).

Good 'ere, innit.

 

[Bay Horse]

A wine gallon! I like the sound of that.

 

[Ma-dotcom]

Reading @GrannyBarb 's thread on "outs" has got me thinking ...

Is there a list somewhere of words that were perfectly understandable in their day, but nowadays are meaningless to the reader?

My example is the GALLON - used to measure SOLIDS.
Back in 1960, my parents moved us from Yorkshire to Cornwall - where they ran the local grocer's.
They were baffled by the villagers requests for "a gallon of potatoes" & "a half-gallon of potatoes" - which the ex-grocer informed them meant 10lb/5lb.

Whether this was particular to the Clay District/the whole of Cornwall/nationwide - I don't know.
Whether this applied only to potatoes - I don't know.
But once my generation has gone ... will it baffle future historians?

Today, a (brief) internet search for the definition of "Gallon" appears to only refer to liquid measurement.

And what about the abbreviation "lb"? Will the researchers of the future know that it is pronounced "pound"?
And WHY is it "lb" anyway?

Ooh, I'm full of questions this morning! Look out world !
Maybe I should go back to bed ...

Jane

Keep 'em coming Jane, you'll fill a void, which we may not have known we have.

 

[Genie1]

Reading @GrannyBarb 's thread on "outs" has got me thinking ...

Is there a list somewhere of words that were perfectly understandable in their day, but nowadays are meaningless to the reader?

My example is the GALLON - used to measure SOLIDS.
Back in 1960, my parents moved us from Yorkshire to Cornwall - where they ran the local grocer's.
They were baffled by the villagers requests for "a gallon of potatoes" & "a half-gallon of potatoes" - which the ex-grocer informed them meant 10lb/5lb.

Whether this was particular to the Clay District/the whole of Cornwall/nationwide - I don't know.
Whether this applied only to potatoes - I don't know.
But once my generation has gone ... will it baffle future historians?

Today, a (brief) internet search for the definition of "Gallon" appears to only refer to liquid measurement.

And what about the abbreviation "lb"? Will the researchers of the future know that it is pronounced "pound"?
And WHY is it "lb" anyway?

Ooh, I'm full of questions this morning! Look out world !
Maybe I should go back to bed ...

Jane

I used to ask for a gallon of potatos as did Cornish folk.

kernowmaid​

Did you get used to 'Dreckly' when you moved from Yorkshire?

 

[LianeH]

I used to ask for a gallon of potatos as did Cornish folk.

kernowmaid​

Did you get used to 'Dreckly' when you moved from Yorkshire?

I can remember my granny asking for a gallon of potatoes - she was Cornish to the core but most upset that I’m a Janner.

And yes Dreckly still features in my vocab even though I now live in Derbyshire. Never got used to my granddad greeting me with ‘hello my lover’ though

 

[Genie1]

I can remember my granny asking for a gallon of potatoes - she was Cornish to the core but most upset that I’m a Janner.

And yes Dreckly still features in my vocab even though I now live in Derbyshire. Never got used to my granddad greeting me with ‘hello my lover’ though

My parents came from different towns in Cornwall and there used to a great rivalry between the towns. My father was accepted though.
Still rivalry with rugby .

 

[Ma-dotcom]

You all remind me of a book I've just read- "A Cornish Orphan" by Sheila Jefffries. A really good little read. Must return it to Library so others can have a go.