The term “score” as a unit of measurement dates back to ancient times and is famously known from Abraham Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address, in which he refers to “four score and seven years ago,” meaning 87 years. A score traditionally signifies a group of 20, which has its origins in Old Norse with the word “skor,” referring to a notch, tally, or mark made for counting. Interestingly, this concept of counting in groups of 20 can be traced back to shepherds who would keep track of their flocks by marking a notch every 20 sheep in a counting stick.
Scores have also found their way into cultural contexts. For instance, the term “score” is used in sports and games to indicate points. In this sense, it symbolizes not just a numerical value but the essence of achievement and success. By linking numeric value to milestones, score as a unit demonstrates the interplay between language and cultural development over centuries.
The “Long Hundred,” also known as a “Great Hundred,” might perplex many today as it stands at 120, instead of the standard 100. Rooted in historical and linguistic evolution, this ancient counting system was prevalent in Northern Europe, notably England and Germany, during the Middle Ages. This unconventional unit was used in various contexts, especially in calculations involving large quantities, such as trade goods or livestock. The Long Hundred illuminates how numbers were historically adapted to meet specific community needs and showcases the fluidity of numerical systems. As societies developed standardized counting methods, such unique units gradually fell out of use, yet they remind us of the rich tapestry of historical numeral lore.
Scores | Long Hundred |
---|---|
0
scores
|
0
long-hundred
|
0.5
scores
|
0.0833333
long-hundred
|
1
scores
|
0.166667
long-hundred
|
1.5
scores
|
0.25
long-hundred
|
2
scores
|
0.333333
long-hundred
|
2.5
scores
|
0.416667
long-hundred
|
3
scores
|
0.5
long-hundred
|
3.5
scores
|
0.583333
long-hundred
|
4
scores
|
0.666667
long-hundred
|
4.5
scores
|
0.75
long-hundred
|
5
scores
|
0.833333
long-hundred
|
5.5
scores
|
0.916667
long-hundred
|
6
scores
|
1
long-hundred
|
6.5
scores
|
1.08333
long-hundred
|
7
scores
|
1.16667
long-hundred
|
7.5
scores
|
1.25
long-hundred
|
8
scores
|
1.33333
long-hundred
|
8.5
scores
|
1.41667
long-hundred
|
9
scores
|
1.5
long-hundred
|
9.5
scores
|
1.58333
long-hundred
|
10
scores
|
1.66667
long-hundred
|
10.5
scores
|
1.75
long-hundred
|
11
scores
|
1.83333
long-hundred
|
11.5
scores
|
1.91667
long-hundred
|
12
scores
|
2
long-hundred
|
12.5
scores
|
2.08333
long-hundred
|
13
scores
|
2.16667
long-hundred
|
13.5
scores
|
2.25
long-hundred
|
14
scores
|
2.33333
long-hundred
|
14.5
scores
|
2.41667
long-hundred
|
15
scores
|
2.5
long-hundred
|
15.5
scores
|
2.58333
long-hundred
|
16
scores
|
2.66667
long-hundred
|
16.5
scores
|
2.75
long-hundred
|
17
scores
|
2.83333
long-hundred
|
17.5
scores
|
2.91667
long-hundred
|
18
scores
|
3
long-hundred
|
18.5
scores
|
3.08333
long-hundred
|
19
scores
|
3.16667
long-hundred
|
19.5
scores
|
3.25
long-hundred
|
20
scores
|
3.33333
long-hundred
|
20.5
scores
|
3.41667
long-hundred
|
21
scores
|
3.5
long-hundred
|
21.5
scores
|
3.58333
long-hundred
|
22
scores
|
3.66667
long-hundred
|
22.5
scores
|
3.75
long-hundred
|
23
scores
|
3.83333
long-hundred
|
23.5
scores
|
3.91667
long-hundred
|
24
scores
|
4
long-hundred
|
24.5
scores
|
4.08333
long-hundred
|
25
scores
|
4.16667
long-hundred
|
25.5
scores
|
4.25
long-hundred
|
26
scores
|
4.33333
long-hundred
|
26.5
scores
|
4.41667
long-hundred
|
27
scores
|
4.5
long-hundred
|
27.5
scores
|
4.58333
long-hundred
|
28
scores
|
4.66667
long-hundred
|
28.5
scores
|
4.75
long-hundred
|
29
scores
|
4.83333
long-hundred
|
29.5
scores
|
4.91667
long-hundred
|
30
scores
|
5
long-hundred
|
30.5
scores
|
5.08333
long-hundred
|
31
scores
|
5.16667
long-hundred
|
31.5
scores
|
5.25
long-hundred
|
32
scores
|
5.33333
long-hundred
|
32.5
scores
|
5.41667
long-hundred
|
33
scores
|
5.5
long-hundred
|
33.5
scores
|
5.58333
long-hundred
|
34
scores
|
5.66667
long-hundred
|
34.5
scores
|
5.75
long-hundred
|
35
scores
|
5.83333
long-hundred
|
35.5
scores
|
5.91667
long-hundred
|
36
scores
|
6
long-hundred
|
36.5
scores
|
6.08333
long-hundred
|
37
scores
|
6.16667
long-hundred
|
37.5
scores
|
6.25
long-hundred
|
38
scores
|
6.33333
long-hundred
|
38.5
scores
|
6.41667
long-hundred
|
39
scores
|
6.5
long-hundred
|
39.5
scores
|
6.58333
long-hundred
|
40
scores
|
6.66667
long-hundred
|
40.5
scores
|
6.75
long-hundred
|
41
scores
|
6.83333
long-hundred
|
41.5
scores
|
6.91667
long-hundred
|
42
scores
|
7
long-hundred
|
42.5
scores
|
7.08333
long-hundred
|
43
scores
|
7.16667
long-hundred
|
43.5
scores
|
7.25
long-hundred
|
44
scores
|
7.33333
long-hundred
|
44.5
scores
|
7.41667
long-hundred
|
45
scores
|
7.5
long-hundred
|
45.5
scores
|
7.58333
long-hundred
|
46
scores
|
7.66667
long-hundred
|
46.5
scores
|
7.75
long-hundred
|
47
scores
|
7.83333
long-hundred
|
47.5
scores
|
7.91667
long-hundred
|
48
scores
|
8
long-hundred
|
48.5
scores
|
8.08333
long-hundred
|
49
scores
|
8.16667
long-hundred
|
49.5
scores
|
8.25
long-hundred
|
50
scores
|
8.33333
long-hundred
|
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