The story on why the U.S. and UK measures are different seems to go back to pre American Independence when the king wanted to charge more tax on beer and found he needed an act of parliament to do this. Instead, he changed the size of the pint. The American pint is 4% smaller than the UK pint. :-)
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Montana
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Sat 30 Apr, 2005 09:06 pm
Thanks for explaining that, Intrepid. I don't think I was the only one here scratching my head, lol!
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dlowan
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Sun 1 May, 2005 02:01 am
Montana wrote:
Since I spent most of my life in the US and was use to everything being in gallons, pints, quarts, etc, I don't think I'll ever get use to this metric stuff.
You will.
I was an adult - I think - when Oz changed, and I can cope.
Except - I CANNOT do people's weight (as opposed to shopping type weights) in kilos - and just don't TRY and give me height in centimetres!
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Setanta
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Sun 1 May, 2005 02:36 am
Here, sit on my hand . . . i'll do your weight . . .
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Montana
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Sun 1 May, 2005 12:16 pm
Deb
It really isn't that bad, except when I find a recipe I like that has everything in metric or something like that. Just little stupid stuff that bugs me every so often.
I do hope I get use to it in time, just for the sake of knowing.
Setanta
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rainforest
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Tue 3 May, 2005 04:52 am
Gezzy> I'll be darned! You didn't know that in first place?
Punishment for you! If ever I land up at your place, I will bring one bottle less in the carton full of Bailey's!
How many bottles will I bring then?
Love to see ya!
;-)
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CodeBorg
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Tue 3 May, 2005 05:26 am
Is it too late to ask about cubits, or flagons?
(wondering if the guy cheated me...)
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flyboy804
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Tue 3 May, 2005 07:14 am
Then we have the U.S. quart vs the Imperial quart.
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Setanta
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Tue 3 May, 2005 07:17 am
A flagon is still in use, and it is usually 38 Imperial ounces. The American "Forty ouncer" of beer is the direct descendant of a flagon.
Normally, i wouldn't give a rats ass about this topic, but when i buy gasoline in Canadia, it is measured in litres. So, i have to do the math, 3.8 litres to the US standard gallon, then having converted my purchase to gallons, i have to apply the prevailing exchange rate of US to Canajun dollars for that day, to get an idea of just how badly i've been ripped off . . .
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dlowan
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Tue 3 May, 2005 07:19 am
Ah - but how many know the difference between the Imperial and Metric "add a dash"? Or "pinch"?
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gustavratzenhofer
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Tue 3 May, 2005 07:19 am
Intrepid wrote:
The American pint is 4% smaller than the UK pint
Then why did the Americans get all the girls during the war?
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dlowan
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Tue 3 May, 2005 07:20 am
CodeBorg wrote:
Is it too late to ask about cubits.....?
NEVER!!!
• cubit [cu·bit || 'kjuːbɪt]
n. ancient measure of length (equal to 17 to 21 inches or 43 to 53 cm)
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Montana
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Tue 3 May, 2005 07:22 am
rainforest wrote:
Gezzy> I'll be darned! You didn't know that in first place?
Punishment for you! If ever I land up at your place, I will bring one bottle less in the carton full of Bailey's!
How many bottles will I bring then?
Love to see ya!
;-)
Oh oh, I'm in trouble
You'll be bringing one bottle of Bailey's. You're only allowed to bring one through the border ;-)
Then why did the Americans get all the girls during the war?
Do you mean apart from the fact that all the "boys" were off fighting Mr. Churchill's war?
Because, in the sardonic expression of the day, they were: "Over paid, over sexed and over here."
I recommend to you the book Rich Relations, which deals with the impact of American soldiers on Blighty.
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Setanta
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Tue 3 May, 2005 07:42 am
The American servicemen and -women in England were paid far, far better than their English counterparts, which brings to mind the song I've Got Sixpence . . .
I've got sixpence
Jolly, jolly sixpence
I've got sixpence
To last me all my life
I've tuppence to spend
And tuppence to lend
And tuppence to send home to my wife
Dear wife
No cares have I to greive me
No pretty little girls to deceive me
I'm happy as a king, believe me
As we go marching, marching home . . .
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Lord Ellpus
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Tue 3 May, 2005 11:30 am
gustavratzenhofer wrote:
Intrepid wrote:
The American pint is 4% smaller than the UK pint
Then why did the Americans get all the girls during the war?
They weren't averse to chasing the men as well, by all accounts.
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gustavratzenhofer
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Tue 3 May, 2005 11:36 am
Were you caught by one of them, Lord Elpus?
Just out of curiosity.
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gustavratzenhofer
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Tue 3 May, 2005 11:38 am
And another thing, Lord. I understand we are on the same platform in some sort of political campaign.
We had better start getting the skeletons out of the closet now, because the devious group led by the sinister Sozobe will be sure to uncover them eventually.
