Viewing a single comment thread. View all comments

52MeowCat t1_iuf4not wrote

Also, european shoe size is based on their length Correction: not based on their length but can be estimated by them.

6

Implausibilibuddy t1_iugv7cq wrote

What? No, EU sizes are based on 2/3rds of a centimetre, or Paris Points. Are you getting confused with UK sizes? Those weren't based on carob nuts, but barleycorns - the length of an average corn of barley.

5

52MeowCat t1_iugx86y wrote

Ok, I looked it up and you're right, it is not based on it it is just that carob seeds can be used to estimate shoe size because of their consistency.

1

Amaranthine t1_iuh88um wrote

I assume barley/poppyseeds are also pretty consistent, which is why UK (and US) sizes are based off that :)

So for anyone wondering what one shoe size is and why it doesn't quite map with centimeters... it's because 1 US size is a barleycorn, which = 1/3 of an inch; close enough that sizes will more or less map to 1cm (2.54cm per inch), but not qute.

1