smoot
smoot · smoots
A unit of length defined as exactly sixty-seven inchesA unit of length defined as exactly sixty-seven inches (approximately 1.70 meters).
/smuːt/
Meaning
2 senses(humorous)A unit of length defined as exactly sixty-seven inches (approximately 1.70 meters).
(UK, dialectal)A small opening built into a dry-stone wall, fence, or hedge to allow sheep (and hares) to pass through; a thirl.
Origin
Derives from the height of Oliver R. Smoot, who had lain on the Harvard Bridge to measureDerives from the height of Oliver R. Smoot, who had lain on the Harvard Bridge to measure it as a fraternity prank at MIT.
From Middle English *smote, *smotte, from Old Norse smátta (“narrow passageway, gap”), from Proto-Germanic *smēhtǭ (“narrow path”), from Proto-Germanic *smēhaz (“small, narrow”).
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