Smoot
/smuːt/noun
An informal unit of length equal to the height of Oliver R. Smoot, traditionally measured as 5 feet 7 inches or about 1.70 meters.
Did you know?In 1958, MIT fraternity pledges marked Harvard Bridge in repeated Smoot-lengths, and the markings became an enduring unofficial surveying system.
Etymological Timeline
1958
English
Smoot
“The surname of Oliver R. Smoot, an MIT student used as the human measuring standard.”
1958
English
smoot
“A coined informal unit equal to Smoot’s height, originally about 5 feet 7 inches.”
Late 20th Century
English
smoot
“A humorous or unofficial unit of length used beyond the original Harvard Bridge prank.”
Modern English
English
smoot
“A recognized informal measurement associated with the Harvard Bridge markings and MIT tradition.”