From: eric@flesch.org (Eric Flesch)
Subject: Re: We Won't Go Metric
Date: 1998/08/22
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On 13 Aug 1998 22:55:23 GMT, Donald G. Shead wrote:
>The main reason why the US should _not_ continue to 'go metric', is that
>its foot-pound-second (fps) system of weights and measures is _really_ less
>complicated, and less confusing than the metric systems: 

I have been brought up on the Imperial system and am now living in a
society which uses metrics, I'd have to say there is another notable
reason not to switch over:  The basic units of foot, pound, and gallon
are friendlier and more practical than the meter, kilogram, and liter.


What can you do with a meter?  It's too long!  A foot is easier to
use.
A centimeter is too short.  Inches are useful.
A kilometer is too short.  A mile has some meat in it.  And it doesn't
sound nice to say KILL-o-meter.  The American pronunciation of
kill-OM-eter is friendlier and easier to say.

A gallon of petrol is an honest can.  A quart of milk is an honest
container.  A liter of petrol is too little, a liter of wine is too
much.

A kilogram is too heavy.  A gram is nothing.  A pound is an honest
useful measure.  

OK, so a 10-cm-cube of water is a liter and weighs a kilogram.  What
use is that to the common man?

Just my 12/5 pence worth...

Eric Flesch