• Couldbealeotard@lemmy.world
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    3 days ago

    I think a length of wire is more about being a vague measurement and to distinguish it from a wire coil, which is a separately useful thing in electronics.

    Calling things a length isn’t indicative of being short. Terms like a length of rope and length of wire are fairly normal ways to talk about things without a strict measurement.

    • LovableSidekick@lemmy.world
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      3 days ago

      Yes I think it’s just a substitute term for “piece” of wire. But distinctly I recall “length” being commonly used in those old science books from the 40s and 50s. To me Professor Farnsworth seems cut out of that mold, the classic black and white movie scientist character.