Obsolete Finnish units of measurement: Difference between revisions

Browse history interactively ← Previous edit Next edit →Content deleted Content addedVisual WikitextInline

Revision as of 08:46, 10 November 2006 editRhialto (talk \| contribs)Extended confirmed users3,872 edits →Units of length ← Previous edit		Revision as of 02:46, 11 November 2006 edit undoRhialto (talk \| contribs)Extended confirmed users3,872 editsNo edit summaryNext edit →
Line 5:		Line 5:
	Certain units were standardized to Metric in 1861; Finland converted fully to Metric system 1880.		Certain units were standardized to Metric in 1861; Finland converted fully to Metric system 1880.

			==Length==
	== Units of length ==

	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
	! colspan="5"\|<big>Table of length units</big>		! colspan="4"\|<big>Table of length units</big>
	\|-		\|-
	! Unit		! Unit
Line 18:		Line 18:
	\|align=center\| ''linja''		\|align=center\| ''linja''
	\|align=right\| 1/144		\|align=right\| 1/144
	\|align=left\| ~2.06 mm		\|align=left\| ~2.06 mm
	\|align=left\|		\|align=left\|
	\|align=right\| The width of barleycorn, 1/12th of ''tuuma''		\|align=right\| The width of barleycorn, 1/12th of ''tuuma''
Line 24:		Line 24:
	\|align=center\| ''tuuma''		\|align=center\| ''tuuma''
	\|align=right\| 1/12		\|align=right\| 1/12
	\|align=left\| ~24.74 mm		\|align=left\| ~24.74 mm
	\|align=left\|		\|align=left\|
	\|align=right\| The width of tumb~~, 1/6th of ''vaaksa'' or 1/12th of ''jalka''~~. ''Metrinen tuuma'' = 25 mm.		\|align=right\| The width of tumb. ''Metrinen tuuma'' = 25 mm.
	\|-		\|-
	\|align=center\| ''vaaksa''		\|align=center\| ''vaaksa''
	\|align=right\| 1/2		\|align=right\| 1/2
	\|align=left\| ~148.44 mm		\|align=left\| ~148.44 mm
	\|align=left\|		\|align=left\|
	\|align=right\| The distance between the tips of little finger and thumb, when the fingers are fully extended~~. 6 ''tuuma'' or 1/2 ''jalka''~~. Today defined as 150 mm.		\|align=right\| The distance between the tips of little finger and thumb, when the fingers are fully extended. Today defined as 150 mm.
	\|-		\|-
	\|align=center\| ''jalka''		\|align=center\| ''jalka''
	\|align=right\| 1		\|align=right\| 1
	\|align=left\| ~296.9 mm		\|align=left\| ~296.9 mm
	\|align=left\|		\|align=left\|
	\|align=right\| The length of human foot~~. 1/2 ''kyynärä''~~.		\|align=right\| The length of human foot.
	\|-		\|-
	\|align=center\| ''kyynärä''		\|align=center\| ''kyynärä''
	\|align=right\| 2		\|align=right\| 2
	\|align=left\| ~593.76 mm		\|align=left\| ~593.76 mm
	\|align=left\|		\|align=left\|
	\|align=right\| The distance from the elbow to the fingertips. ''Metrinen kyynärä'' = 500 mm.		\|align=right\| The distance from the elbow to the fingertips. ''Metrinen kyynärä'' = 500 mm.
Line 48:		Line 48:
	\|align=center\| ''syli''		\|align=center\| ''syli''
	\|align=right\| 6		\|align=right\| 6
	\|align=left\| ~180 cm		\|align=left\| ~180 cm
	\|align=left\|		\|align=left\|
	\|align=right\| Fathom; the distance between the fingertips of both hands when the arms are raised horizontally on the sides. In maritime, ''syli'' is 1/1000th of ] (1.852 m).		\|align=right\| Fathom; the distance between the fingertips of both hands when the arms are raised horizontally on the sides. In maritime, ''syli'' is 1/1000th of ] (1.852 m).
Line 54:		Line 54:
	\|align=center\| ''vakomitta''		\|align=center\| ''vakomitta''
	\|align=right\| 120		\|align=right\| 120
	\|align=left\| ~213.6 m		\|align=left\| ~213.6 m
	\|align=left\|		\|align=left\|
	\|align=right\| The furrow's length on field~~. 1/5 ''virsta''~~.		\|align=right\| The furrow's length on field.
	\|-		\|-
	\|align=center\| ''virsta''		\|align=center\| ''virsta''
	\|align=right\| 600		\|align=right\| 600
	\|align=left\| ~1068.84 m		\|align=left\| ~1068.84 m
	\|align=left\|		\|align=left\|
	\|align=right\| 2672 m (Swedish) 1068.84 m (Finnish)~~. 1/10th ''peninkulma''~~.		\|align=right\| 2672 m (Swedish) 1068.84 m (Finnish).
	\|-		\|-
	\|align=center\| ''peninkulma'' (old)		\|align=center\| ''peninkulma'' (old)
	\|align=right\| 3000		\|align=right\| 3000
	\|align=left\| ~5344.2 m		\|align=left\| ~5344.2 m
	\|align=left\|		\|align=left\|
	\|align=right\| Before 1600 5 ''virsta''; after 1600 10 ''virsta''. The distance a barking dog can be heard in still air.		\|align=right\| Before 1600 5 ''virsta''; after 1600 10 ''virsta''. The distance a barking dog can be heard in still air.
Line 72:		Line 72:
	\|align=center\| ''peninkulma'' (new)		\|align=center\| ''peninkulma'' (new)
	\|align=right\| 6000		\|align=right\| 6000
	\|align=left\| ~10.6884 km		\|align=left\| ~10.6884 km
	\|align=left\|		\|align=left\|
	\|align=right\| Before 1600 5 ''virsta''; after 1600 10 ''virsta''. The distance a barking dog can be heard in still air.		\|align=right\| Before 1600 5 ''virsta''; after 1600 10 ''virsta''. The distance a barking dog can be heard in still air.
Line 78:		Line 78:
	\|align=center\| ''päivämatka''		\|align=center\| ''päivämatka''
	\|align=right\| 12,000		\|align=right\| 12,000
	\|align=left\| ~20 km		\|align=left\| ~20 km
	\|align=left\|		\|align=left\|
	\|align=right\| The distance of one day's travel~~. 2 ''peninkulma'' or 20 ''virsta''~~.		\|align=right\| The distance of one day's travel.
	\|}		\|}

			==Area==
	== Units of weight ==
	*''luoti'' – (13.95 g); the weight of a musket ball. 1/2 ''unssi''
	*''unssi'' – (27.9 g). 1/8 of ''markka'' or 1/16th of ''naula''
	*''markka'' – (213.8 g). 1/2 of ''naula''. Name of the Finnish monetary unit 1861-2002
	*''naula'' – (425.6 g). 1/20 of ''leiviskä''; ''metrinen naula'' = 500 g
	*''leiviskä'' – (8.5004 kg). 1/5 of ''sentneri''; ''metrinen leiviskä'' = 10 kg
	*''sentneri'' – (42.56 kg): 100 ''naula''. ''Senttaali'' = 200 ''metrinen naula'' or 100 kg.
	*''kippunta'' – (170 kg); 20 ''leiviskä'' or 400 ''naula''.

			{\| class="wikitable"
	== Units of area ==
			! colspan="4"\|<big>Table of area units</big>
	*''kannunala'' – (88.15 m²). 1000 square ''jalka''.
			\|-
	*''kapanala'' – (154 m²) 1/32 of ''tynnyrinala''. The area (of field) that could be sown with one bushel of grain.
			! Unit
	*''panninala'' – (2464 m²) 16 ''kapanala'', 1/2 of ''tynnyrinala''. The area (of field) that could be sown with one ''panni'' of grain,
			! Relative<br>value
	*''tynnyrinala'' – (4936.5 m²) The area (of field) that could be sown with one barrel of grain.
			! Metric<br>value
	*''äyrityisenmaa'' – 3 926 square ''kyynärä''. The area which grows grain worth of one ''äyrityinen'' for taxation
			! Imperial<br>value
	*''äyrinmaa'' – 11 777 square ''kyynärä''. The area which grows grain worth of one ''äyri'' for taxation.
			! Notes
	*''penninginmaa'' – 490 790 square ''kyynärä''. The area which grows grain worth of one ''penninki'' for taxation.
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''kannunala''
			\|align=right\|
			\|align=left\| ~88.15 m²
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| 1000 square ''jalka''.
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''kapanala''
			\|align=right\|
			\|align=left\| ~154 m²
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| 1/32 of ''tynnyrinala''. The area (of field) that could be sown with one bushel of grain.
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''panninala''
			\|align=right\|
			\|align=left\| ~2464 m²
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| 16 ''kapanala'', 1/2 of ''tynnyrinala''. The area (of field) that could be sown with one ''panni'' of grain.
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''tynnyrinala''
			\|align=right\|
			\|align=left\| ~4936.5 m²
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| The area (of field) that could be sown with one barrel of grain.
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''äyrityisenmaa''
			\|align=right\|
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| 3,926 square ''kyynärä''. The area which grows grain worth of one ''äyrityinen'' for taxation.
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''äyrinmaa''
			\|align=right\|
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| 11,777 square ''kyynärä''. The area which grows grain worth of one ''äyri'' for taxation.
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''penninginmaa''
			\|align=right\|
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| 490,790 square ''kyynärä''. The area which grows grain worth of one ''penninki'' for taxation.
			\|}

			==Volume==
	== Units of volume ==

	*''jumpru'' – 0.818 cl. 1/4 of ''kortteli''.
			{\| class="wikitable"
	*''kortteli'' – Used for both length (14.845 cm, same as ''vaaksa'') and volume (3.2715 dl). Name derives from Swedish ''kvartdel'', meaning "quarter". As unit of length 1/4 of ''kyynärä''.
			! colspan="4"\|<big>Table of volume units</big>
	*''tuoppi'' – (1.3274 l). 1/2 of ''kannu''.
			\|-
	*''kannu'' – (2.6172 l). 1/2 of ''kappa''. Also called ''pikkukappa'' (exactly 2.5 l)
			! Unit
	*''kappa'' – (5.4961 l) Still in use (rectified as exactly 5 liters) as ''kappa'' or ''isokappa'' at market places to measure potatoes.
			! Relative<br>value
	*''ankkuri'' – (39.26 l). 15 ''kannu''. Used for liquids.
			! Metric<br>value
	*''nelikko'' – (43.986 l). 8 ''kappa''. Used for solids.
			! Imperial<br>value
	*''panni'' – (87.96 l). 2 ''nelikko'' and 1/2 ''tynnyri''. Used for solids
			! Notes
	*''tynnyri'' – (125.6 l) 48 ''kannu''. Barrel for liquids.
			\|-
	*''tynnyri'' – (175 l) 32 ''kappa''. Barrel for solids.
			\|align=center\| ''jumpru''
	*''lästi'' – (1507 l) 12 ''tynnyri'' for liquids.
			\|align=right\|
	*''lästi'' – (2110 l) 12 ''tynnyri'' for solids.
			\|align=left\| ~0.818 cl
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| 1/4 of ''kortteli''.
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''kortteli''
			\|align=right\|
			\|align=left\| ~3.2715 dl
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| Used for both length (14.845 cm, same as ''vaaksa'') and volume (3.2715 dl). Name derives from Swedish ''kvartdel'', meaning "quarter". As unit of length 1/4 of ''kyynärä''.
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''tuoppi''
			\|align=right\|
			\|align=left\| ~1.3274 L
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| 1/2 of ''kannu''.
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''kannu''
			\|align=right\|
			\|align=left\| ~2.6172 L
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| 1/2 of ''kappa''. Also called ''pikkukappa'' (exactly 2.5 L).
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''kappa''
			\|align=right\|
			\|align=left\| ~5.4961 L
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| Still in use (as exactly 5 liters) as ''kappa'' or ''isokappa'' at market places to measure potatoes.
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''ankkuri''
			\|align=right\|
			\|align=left\| ~39.26 L
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| 15 ''kannu''. Used for liquid measure.
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''nelikko''
			\|align=right\|
			\|align=left\| ~43.986 L
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| 8 ''kappa''. Used for dry measure.
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''panni''
			\|align=right\|
			\|align=left\| ~87.96 L
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| 2 ''nelikko'' and 1/2 ''tynnyri''. Used for dry measure.
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''tynnyri''
			\|align=right\|
			\|align=left\| ~125.6 L
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| 48 ''kannu''. Barrel for liquid measure.
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''tynnyri''
			\|align=right\|
			\|align=left\| ~175 L
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| 32 ''kappa''. Barrel for dry measure.
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''lästi''
			\|align=right\|
			\|align=left\| ~1507 L
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| 12 ''tynnyri'' for liquid measure.
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''lästi''
			\|align=right\|
			\|align=left\| ~2110 L
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| 12 ''tynnyri'' for dry measure.
			\|}

			==Mass==

			{\| class="wikitable"
			! colspan="4"\|<big>Table of mass units</big>
			\|-
			! Unit
			! Relative<br>value
			! Metric<br>value
			! Imperial<br>value
			! Notes
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''luoti''
			\|align=right\| 1/16
			\|align=left\| ~13.95 g
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| The weight of a musket ball.
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''unssi''
			\|align=right\| 1/8
			\|align=left\| ~27.9 g
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\|
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''markka''
			\|align=right\| 1
			\|align=left\| ~213.8 g
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| Name of the Finnish monetary unit 1861-2002
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''naula''
			\|align=right\| 2
			\|align=left\| ~425.6 g
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| ''metrinen naula'' = 500 g
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''leiviskä''
			\|align=right\| 40
			\|align=left\| ~8.5004 kg
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| ''metrinen leiviskä'' = 10 kg
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''sentneri''
			\|align=right\| 200
			\|align=left\| ~42.56 kg
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\| 1 ''Senttaali'' = 200 ''metrinen naula'' = 100 kg.
			\|-
			\|align=center\| ''kippunta''
			\|align=right\| 800
			\|align=left\| ~170 kg
			\|align=left\|
			\|align=right\|
			\|}

	== Maritime units ==		== Maritime units ==
Line 120:		Line 280:
	*''kaapelinmitta'' – 185.2 m. 1/10 of a nautical mile.		*''kaapelinmitta'' – 185.2 m. 1/10 of a nautical mile.
	*''syli'' – 1.852 m. 1/1000 of a nautical mile. Seldom used.		*''syli'' – 1.852 m. 1/1000 of a nautical mile. Seldom used.
	*''solmu'' – ~~nautoval~~ miles per hour. Speed unit.		*''solmu'' – nautical miles per hour. Speed unit.

	Obsolete:		Obsolete:

Revision as of 02:46, 11 November 2006

In Finland, approximate units of measure derived from body parts and were used for a long time, some being later standardised for the purpose of commerce. Some Swedish, and later some Russian units have also been used.

The measurements were first standardized in the law of 1665 and revised 1735. Before that, the measurements varied from town to town. The units used in town of Porvoo were unusually large; the proverb mitata Porvoon mitalla (to measure in Porvoo units) means to measure in excess or generously.

Certain units were standardized to Metric in 1861; Finland converted fully to Metric system 1880.

Length

Table of length units
Unit	Relative value	Metric value	Imperial value	Notes
linja	1/144	~2.06 mm		The width of barleycorn, 1/12th of tuuma
tuuma	1/12	~24.74 mm		The width of tumb. Metrinen tuuma = 25 mm.
vaaksa	1/2	~148.44 mm		The distance between the tips of little finger and thumb, when the fingers are fully extended. Today defined as 150 mm.
jalka	1	~296.9 mm		The length of human foot.
kyynärä	2	~593.76 mm		The distance from the elbow to the fingertips. Metrinen kyynärä = 500 mm.
syli	6	~180 cm		Fathom; the distance between the fingertips of both hands when the arms are raised horizontally on the sides. In maritime, syli is 1/1000th of nautical mile (1.852 m).
vakomitta	120	~213.6 m		The furrow's length on field.
virsta	600	~1068.84 m		2672 m (Swedish) 1068.84 m (Finnish).
peninkulma (old)	3000	~5344.2 m		Before 1600 5 virsta; after 1600 10 virsta. The distance a barking dog can be heard in still air.
peninkulma (new)	6000	~10.6884 km		Before 1600 5 virsta; after 1600 10 virsta. The distance a barking dog can be heard in still air.
päivämatka	12,000	~20 km		The distance of one day's travel.

Area

Table of area units
Unit	Relative value	Metric value	Imperial value	Notes
kannunala		~88.15 m²		1000 square jalka.
kapanala		~154 m²		1/32 of tynnyrinala. The area (of field) that could be sown with one bushel of grain.
panninala		~2464 m²		16 kapanala, 1/2 of tynnyrinala. The area (of field) that could be sown with one panni of grain.
tynnyrinala		~4936.5 m²		The area (of field) that could be sown with one barrel of grain.
äyrityisenmaa				3,926 square kyynärä. The area which grows grain worth of one äyrityinen for taxation.
äyrinmaa				11,777 square kyynärä. The area which grows grain worth of one äyri for taxation.
penninginmaa				490,790 square kyynärä. The area which grows grain worth of one penninki for taxation.

Volume

Table of volume units
Unit	Relative value	Metric value	Imperial value	Notes
jumpru		~0.818 cl		1/4 of kortteli.
kortteli		~3.2715 dl		Used for both length (14.845 cm, same as vaaksa) and volume (3.2715 dl). Name derives from Swedish kvartdel, meaning "quarter". As unit of length 1/4 of kyynärä.
tuoppi		~1.3274 L		1/2 of kannu.
kannu		~2.6172 L		1/2 of kappa. Also called pikkukappa (exactly 2.5 L).
kappa		~5.4961 L		Still in use (as exactly 5 liters) as kappa or isokappa at market places to measure potatoes.
ankkuri		~39.26 L		15 kannu. Used for liquid measure.
nelikko		~43.986 L		8 kappa. Used for dry measure.
panni		~87.96 L		2 nelikko and 1/2 tynnyri. Used for dry measure.
tynnyri		~125.6 L		48 kannu. Barrel for liquid measure.
tynnyri		~175 L		32 kappa. Barrel for dry measure.
lästi		~1507 L		12 tynnyri for liquid measure.
lästi		~2110 L		12 tynnyri for dry measure.

Mass

Table of mass units
Unit	Relative value	Metric value	Imperial value	Notes
luoti	1/16	~13.95 g		The weight of a musket ball.
unssi	1/8	~27.9 g
markka	1	~213.8 g		Name of the Finnish monetary unit 1861-2002
naula	2	~425.6 g		metrinen naula = 500 g
leiviskä	40	~8.5004 kg		metrinen leiviskä = 10 kg
sentneri	200	~42.56 kg		1 Senttaali = 200 metrinen naula = 100 kg.
kippunta	800	~170 kg

Maritime units

meripeninkulma – 1852 m. Same as nautical mile. One angular minute at equator.
kaapelinmitta – 185.2 m. 1/10 of a nautical mile.
syli – 1.852 m. 1/1000 of a nautical mile. Seldom used.
solmu – nautical miles per hour. Speed unit.

Obsolete:

merisekunti* – 30.8666 m. 1/60 of nautical mile
meritertia* – 0.51444 m. 1/3600 of nautical mile

Miscellaneous

kivenheitto (Throw of a rock) – 100 kyynärä (approx 50 m). Today to describe something to be very near.
poronkusema – (approximately 7.5 km). A Lappish measurement of distance; the distance between the reindeer needs to urinate. Today used to describe something that is at a very obscure distance away. Poronkusemaa kuukaudessa furlongs per fortnight
tusina 12
toltti 12 (lumber)
tiu 20 (eggs)
buntta 20 (matchboxes)
kerpo 31 (lampreys; 30 as a bunch and one for tying)
krossi 144 (pencils)
kiihtelys 40 (squirrel pelts)
riisi 500 (paper sheets)
tonni 1000 (usually refers to 1000 kg, but can refer also anything of 1000, especially money)
motti 1 m³ (firewood or waste paper)
valovuosi (light year) to describe something is extremely distant or unaccessible

External link

Scandinavian units

Categories:

Misplaced Pages