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Imperial Measures

(332 Posts)
NotSpaghetti Sat 28-May-22 18:03:13

Just overheard someone say Johnson wants to re-introduce Imperial measurements. Surely not!

Anyone heard this too?

Whitewavemark2 Sat 28-May-22 19:35:58

I haven’t thought in terms of imperial probably since a year or two after it’s introduction.

I suspect that 90% of people in the U.K. are the same.

Remember when we were a democratic country, what halcyon days they were.

Baggs Sat 28-May-22 19:37:00

It always surprises me when my youngest daughter talks, very occasionally, in inches. But she does.

For recipes I use imperial, metric and American cups. Also dollops and splashes (the latter for cocktails, as in "a splash of lime juice").

I find it quite fun to use different kinds of measurements. If some people want to mainly use imperial measures, where's the harm?

Big shrug moment here and knickers completely untwisted. Some of yous don't half get easily irritated.

mokryna Sat 28-May-22 19:39:23

Who under the age 65 understands what we had to learn.
Children are already struggling at school, after the last two years.
Moreover, another divide for the people in Ireland, south metrics north imperial, not to mention the cost of the cost.

He is trying to distract everyonr from the main problem, him.

OakDryad Sat 28-May-22 19:39:36

Devorgilla

So, JRM wants to restore 'ancient liberties'. Does that include 'Droit de Seigneur'?

Only if the vassal's peasants can remember how to measure in bushels and pecks.

volver Sat 28-May-22 19:39:57

That American cup.

Is that the same as an Australian cup?

Or a British cup?

Where do sticks come into it?

I'll "stick" with litres, thanks.

BlueBelle Sat 28-May-22 19:40:44

I hope not for our childrens and grandkids sakes
But I m afraid I ve never got to grips with metric I still think in feet and inches, miles, pounds, and ounces my body measurements, my feet, my height

Can manage temperature and of course money but the rest just doesn’t work for me I have a tape measure with one on one side and one on the other and that’s how I get by

mokryna Sat 28-May-22 19:42:21

not to mention the cost of it all.

Germanshepherdsmum Sat 28-May-22 19:43:50

I hate recipes which give measurements in cups.

Devorgilla Sat 28-May-22 19:52:54

Nice one, OakDryad.

Callistemon21 Sat 28-May-22 20:26:47

Germanshepherdsmum

I hate recipes which give measurements in cups.

I have a set of measuring cups (TK Maxx) but rarely use them.
What is a stick of butter?

Callistemon21 Sat 28-May-22 20:29:43

OakDryad

Devorgilla

So, JRM wants to restore 'ancient liberties'. Does that include 'Droit de Seigneur'?

Only if the vassal's peasants can remember how to measure in bushels and pecks.

OakDryad
Apparently 'you eat a peck of dirt before you die'

I have no idea how much that is.

I generally think in both metric and imperial but when it comes to my weight I think in stones and pounds and distance in miles.

StarDreamer Sat 28-May-22 21:06:56

jaharrison.me.uk/Misc/RSF/index.html smile

StarDreamer Sat 28-May-22 21:15:20

Hello OakDryad

Here is a link to an article about a peck as a unit of measurement.

www.britannica.com/science/peck

Blossoming Sat 28-May-22 21:25:26

I have only used metric, as a student and at work. I’m not used to historical units of measure.

vegansrock Sat 28-May-22 21:30:46

We already use a mix. It’s just a Brexit crowd pleaser (he thinks). He’ll just say it’s legal to use one or the other and nothing will change.

BlueBelle Sat 28-May-22 21:30:54

Well you must be very young then blossoming ???

Urmstongran Sat 28-May-22 21:36:27

I can visualise a baby who weighs 7lbs 6ozs as opposed to sat 5lbs 12ozs.
In metric kgs? Not a hope.
?

25Avalon Sat 28-May-22 22:12:12

It was in his manifesto in 2019 but before anyone gets too uptight both metric and imperial will be permissible, so if a shop wishes to deal in imperial it will no longer be mandatory to list metric as well. It’s supposed to be introduced on Friday for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Personally I will be happy to go back to imperial although I can see it could be a problem for youngsters. Having said that most still give their height in feet and inches. I expect we will continue with a hybrid system.

growstuff Sat 28-May-22 22:15:14

Youngsters? I'm 67 and my O level maths and science papers used metric measurements. hmm

Callistemon21 Sat 28-May-22 22:17:18

Whilst it would not be practical to revert to Imperal measurements, it would be a pity to forget about the old weights and measures completely.

They had much more interesting and descriptive names than metric weights and measures.

eg Volumes:
Ale measures
9 gallons = 1 firkin
4 firkins= 1 barrel

Wine measures
52 ½ gallons= 1 hogshead
26 and 2 thirds fl. oz. = 1 bottle

2 pints= 1 quart
4 quarts= 1 gallon
2 gallons = 1 peck
4 pecks= 1 bushel
8 bushels= 1 quarter
36 bushels= 1 chaldron

home.clara.net/brianp/lengths.html

Do we still measure horses in hands?

ixion Sat 28-May-22 22:34:01

Did anyone else have primary school workbooks with these measurements on the back cover? (Paper) covers were a washy pink, or light blue or beige.

Oh yes, and a cricket pitch was 1 chain. 10 = 1 furlong!

ElaineI Sat 28-May-22 22:37:04

Use both but prefer imperial.

Callistemon21 Sat 28-May-22 22:39:56

I think DH still has an old book somewhere with old weights and measures.

Does anyone remember farthings?
They had a wren on them, I think.

mokryna Sat 28-May-22 22:42:01

8 furlongs one mile

ixion Sat 28-May-22 22:43:13

Loose eggs in David Greig's three farthings to a penny farthing, depending on size!