The original definition of a mile

[chronon]

The mile comes from the distance a Roman soldier covered with 1000 steps.

To get the decimal point in the right place you just need to find a very big Roman soldier

 

[Integral]

This post originally appeared in a now locked TD thread. I, however, love such bits of totally useless trivia.

As stated this definition has a problem. The average persons STEP is about 2.5ft, this would get you about .5 miles. The resolution to this is that when measuring distance by walking. the pace is the fundamental unit. A PACE is counted each time the right (or left) foot hits the ground. This would but 1000 paces right around 5000ft, pretty close to a mile. So when you are out for a walk, when your right foot has hit the ground 1000 times you have traveled about 1 mile. Nice to know, but counting can be a bit tedious, I guess that is what pedometers are all about.

 

[brewnog]

Yup, or counting in triangle numbers :-)

 

[HallsofIvy]

HOWEVER, the "pace" in "mille pacem" ("a thousand paces" which became "mile") was measured from left foot to left foot. That is twice what you may be thinking of as a "pace". It wouldn't take a very large soldier for that to be about 5.3 feet.

 

[KingNothing]

Perhaps the first real evidence that roman soldiers frolicked, rather than marched.

interesting 'tidbit'

 

[Andrew Mason]

HOWEVER, the "pace" in "mille pacem" ("a thousand paces" which became "mile")

I think pacem means peace as in dona nobis pacem. Roman soldiers were not terribly concerned with peace, let alone peace x 1000. Perhaps it was 1000 pieces to the mile, used as a measure of the destruction that they left behind as they marched.

AM

 

[Integral]

HOWEVER, the "pace" in "mille pacem" ("a thousand paces" which became "mile") was measured from left foot to left foot. That is twice what you may be thinking of as a "pace". It wouldn't take a very large soldier for that to be about 5.3 feet.

We are in tune Halls, perhaps I did not state it clearly enough, but I meant Right to right or Left to left, should be about the same.

 

[HallsofIvy]

Actually, you did say it clearly- I didn't read all of your response until after I wrote mine!

 

[mapper]

I count my steps as I walk every day, mostly only longer distances like from work to my car and don't do count from my desk to the coffee machine much anymore cause i know exactly how much they are...

I have been doing since i was 6 to help me start counting. I can't stand it anymore! Its driving me nutz! Its like having a song stuck in your head for 22 years! help meeeee...

 

[mapper]

That would only start a challenge for me to which I am sure would drive me even more insane. I have to hit my head against a wall in hopes i forget your post.

 

[arildno]

That would only start a challenge for me to which I am sure would drive me even more insane. I have to hit my head against a wall in hopes i forget your post.

I am a nice guy, really, deep down.
So, in order not to drive you into the asylum, I have deleted my insidious post..