Fathom

This was originally a land measuring term derived from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘fætm’ meaning the embracing arms, or to embrace. In those days, most measurements were based on average sizes of parts of the body.  A fathom is the average distance from fingertip to fingertip of the outstretched arms of a six-foot tall man hence six feet. A nautical term that has now become part of everyday language