A mile was the distance of
a thousand double paces.
ETYMOLOGY: Middle English, from Old English ml, from Latin mlia (passuum), a thousand (double paces), a Roman mile pl. of mlle, thousand.
By using the following extremely high-tech scientific method, it can be calculated precisely!
1 Statute mile = 8 furlongs
1 Furlong = 10 Chains
1 Chain = 22 Yards
Hence 22x10x8 = 1760 Yards
Now all we need to know is the origin of the Yard!
The basic unit of English length is the yard, which was originally taken as the distance between
Henry I's (1068-1135) nose and the tip of his outstretched arm. 