I just factored 231, which only evenly factors to 3, 7 & 11. An unlikely combo, but so is 231 cubic inches.
Looked up pottle, which, as you note, is a half-gallon, and dates to at least 14th c. Jack if less certain in both origin and size; seems to have meant different sizes at different times and places in Old England (not unusual for a “standard” measure to not be). It is also possible that gill was originally jill, as in “jack and jill,” but reference I found was not clear.
no subject
I just factored 231, which only evenly factors to 3, 7 & 11. An unlikely combo, but so is 231 cubic inches.
Looked up pottle, which, as you note, is a half-gallon, and dates to at least 14th c. Jack if less certain in both origin and size; seems to have meant different sizes at different times and places in Old England (not unusual for a “standard” measure to not be). It is also possible that gill was originally jill, as in “jack and jill,” but reference I found was not clear.