Notes & Queries Archive
REPLY1849

A FLEMISH ACCOUNT

By Q.Q.

I think it probably that the expression "Flemish Account" may have been derived from the fact that the Flemish ell measures only three quarters of our yard, while the English ell measures five quarters, and that thence the epithet Flemish was adopted as denoting something deficient.

Topics: Historical Customs, Measurement Systems

Locations: Flemish, England