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Subject:Re: Please explain this phrase From:"Bonnie Granat" <bgranat -at- editors-writers -dot- info> To:"Oja, W. Kelly" <w -dot- kelly -dot- oja -at- verizon -dot- com>, "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com> Date:Fri, 22 Aug 2003 09:46:23 -0400
----- Original Message -----
From: "Oja, W. Kelly" <w -dot- kelly -dot- oja -at- verizon -dot- com>
To: "TECHWR-L" <techwr-l -at- lists -dot- raycomm -dot- com>
Sent: August 22, 2003 09:31 AM
Subject: RE: Please explain this phrase
>
> Okay, I will place my head on the chopping block on this one. I am a
> little confused here, maybe because I have not had enough coffee this
> morning, but I always understood that "English" and "metric" were the
> same and that America uses the "Standard" system. Granted, I will state
> that I have NOT heard the metric system termed the English system that
> often, but up until this thread, I have never heard the Standard system
> referred to as the English system. Is there something I am missing on
> this August morning?
>
>
>
Excerpt from: http://lamar.colostate.edu/~hillger/internat.htm#united_kingdom
UK Metrication History and Status
by Chris Keenan, Special UK Correspondent to the USMA
The one aspect on measurement to which the UK got a permanent derogation was
in road measurements, so there is no obligation for the UK ever to change road
signs to metric units. However, speedometers have given dual English-metric
units for many years, and metric units are increasingly seen on signs
indicating distances in metres. In addition, certain commercial vehicles where
the drivers are governed by EU regulations on working hours and distances
travelled (e.g. coaches and trucks) have speedometers which show km/h in large
figures, with mph in smaller figures; their odometers register km only. Also,
the conversion of Ireland's road signs to metric over the past few years must
put further pressure on the UK to eventually finish their metric transition.
