In the old days when I forgot my tape measure I would use my foot as a rule. The foot measure is called a foot because..well you know the answer.
Yes, and the last part of the thumb is roughly an inch. Mine is 1.25 inches almost precisely, and between my feet (almost precisely a foot with most shoes on), and my thumb, I can do rough-and-ready measurements anywhere!
Shaquille O’Neal’s shoe size is 23.
I’ve got size 10 sneakers on right now and they measure 12 1/2”. My size 10 work boots however measure 12 1/4”.
So I guess some King was a size 9 but then again, shoes were different back then.
I was always puzzled by the fathom. Then I worked on an albacore fishing boat. 17 fathom long line was easily measured by playing out the line from one hand to the other with the arms outstretched seventeen times. Yes the math involved with the metric system is much easier, but the traditional system is based on the human body, which most of us have on hand.