What is the origin of the names of English linear measurements.?

Question

Inch, foot, yard, chain, furlong and mile - can anyone explain the origin of these names and the reason for measurements that are so different from the metric system?

Answer 1

The smaller measurements come from parts of the body: the remainder I cannot fathom...

Answer 2

mile was a thousand Roman paces (double paces to us)

Mile is like the word for 1000 in latin M represents 1000 in Roman numerals

A furlong was the length of a furrow

Answer 3

As well as this definition answer, the measurements were also made according to the lengths, widths, etc. of  royalties. I.E. the size of the kings foot was considered the measurement of a foot.

Answer 4

Inch :"linear measure, one-twelfth of a foot," late O.E. ynce, M.E. unche (current spelling c.1300), from L. uncia "a twelfth part," from root of unus "one;" an early borrowing from L., not found in any other Gmc. language. Transf. and fig. sense of "a very small amount" is attested from c.1350. The verb meaning "move little by little" is first recorded 1599, from the noun. Inchworm first recorded 1861.

See http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?sear... for the rest.