As I understand we we're not 'reverting', it's just not going to be illegal to use the old measures any more.
It's already not illegal to use them, as long as you use metric alongside them. I don't see the problem this is trying to solve.
UK Engineers raise concerns over proposed switch to imperial measurements
91–100 of 106 posts
Re: UK Engineers raise concerns over proposed switch to imperial measurements
#92Everybody's shitting on Imperial, U.S. customary, or whatever you want to call them units... Allow me to give a slightly different perspective: as a scientist, if I'm doing chemistry then metric is the way to go. Conversions are easier, centigrade and Kelvin just make a lot more sense... But for many day-to-day things I think the Imperial units are better. Temperature? Fahrenheit is a 0-100 scale, where 0 is pretty m…
The temperature thing is just whichever you're more used to using. We almost never see 30F or 70F, so the idea that it's a natural fit is rather forced.
Re: UK Engineers raise concerns over proposed switch to imperial measurements
#93UK is a confused place. I still don't know whats the "official" temperature scale - F or C. In the same paper, I would see the weather map with C, but the title with F (heatwave of xx F). Or the reverse, or both. Or in the same shop you can buy milk in liters, or in pints.
They use Farenheit in the headline when it's hot to make it sound shocking (usually 100+ F).
When it's cold they can instead say the temperatures have plummeted below zero (C).
They just use whatever adds the most drama.
Re: UK Engineers raise concerns over proposed switch to imperial measurements
#94This is a non story. The consultation is on whether to allow weights and volumes of goods to be sold using imperial measures. There is no suggestion of switching engineering or construction to use imperial.
That's already legally possible to put imperial measurements on things now.
The consultation asked whether people wanted to switch to imperial measurements only, alongside other less sensible options.
Re: UK Engineers raise concerns over proposed switch to imperial measurements
#95Observation as a Canadian: Until the US decides to finally convert (e.g. never), the rest of the anglo-sphere will be forever stuck in an awkward inbetween zone anyways. We supposedly converted to metric in the 70s but it's only ever been half-hearted, as many trades (especially construction) continue to work in imperial measurements, and most people work in an awkward combination of the two. As Canadians we typicall…
Moving to Canada from the US was a weird experience. They sell butter in 454g bricks. That's a pound, but it's sold in grams. The wrapper is marked with graduations of whole, half and quarter cups. They sell meat and cheese by the kilogram, 100gram, pound, or ounce, with different brands using different units -- making price comparison between similar products a bit of a chore.
Re: UK Engineers raise concerns over proposed switch to imperial measurements
#96Earlier quoted context omitted.
1 stone = 14lbs. Learned this "whilst" (another chiefly British word) at study abroad in England. Ever after thought of the Bush album "Sixteen Stone" in a different light.
Of course I never remember that a how much a pound is. From my d&d days (when we mix and matched Italian and English material) I remember that 2.5lbs is about 1kg, but that's a very rough approximation. Similarly I remember that 10ft is ~3m.
A pound is 7000 grains, hope that helps
Re: UK Engineers raise concerns over proposed switch to imperial measurements
#97Earlier quoted context omitted.
Of course I never remember that a how much a pound is. From my d&d days (when we mix and matched Italian and English material) I remember that 2.5lbs is about 1kg, but that's a very rough approximation. Similarly I remember that 10ft is ~3m.
A pound is 7000 grains, hope that helps
For a few seconds i read 'grams' and I thought it was on the heavy side. Well played!
Re: UK Engineers raise concerns over proposed switch to imperial measurements
#98Observation as a Canadian: Until the US decides to finally convert (e.g. never), the rest of the anglo-sphere will be forever stuck in an awkward inbetween zone anyways. We supposedly converted to metric in the 70s but it's only ever been half-hearted, as many trades (especially construction) continue to work in imperial measurements, and most people work in an awkward combination of the two. As Canadians we typicall…
Australian Civil eng. here. We’re fully metric.
Re: UK Engineers raise concerns over proposed switch to imperial measurements
#99Observation as a Canadian: Until the US decides to finally convert (e.g. never), the rest of the anglo-sphere will be forever stuck in an awkward inbetween zone anyways. We supposedly converted to metric in the 70s but it's only ever been half-hearted, as many trades (especially construction) continue to work in imperial measurements, and most people work in an awkward combination of the two. As Canadians we typicall…
Moving to Canada from the US was a weird experience. They sell butter in 454g bricks. That's a pound, but it's sold in grams. The wrapper is marked with graduations of whole, half and quarter cups. They sell meat and cheese by the kilogram, 100gram, pound, or ounce, with different brands using different units -- making price comparison between similar products a bit of a chore.
As a lifelong Canadian, i still haven’t figured out when baking measurements are metric or imperial. Is a cup 8 ounces or 250ml? It depends on the recipe! Close enough I guess for some if ratios are maintained
Edit: liquid medicine are sometimes given in metric teaspoons/tablespoons but always always have the metric measurement beside. So that’s clear at least.
Re: UK Engineers raise concerns over proposed switch to imperial measurements
#100Observation as a Canadian: Until the US decides to finally convert (e.g. never), the rest of the anglo-sphere will be forever stuck in an awkward inbetween zone anyways. We supposedly converted to metric in the 70s but it's only ever been half-hearted, as many trades (especially construction) continue to work in imperial measurements, and most people work in an awkward combination of the two. As Canadians we typicall…
I'm guessing this is less to do with the anglo-sphere and more to do with the amount of trade done with the US.