The Metric System - Urban Dictionary

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Sun Nov 01, 2015 12:20 pm

A system of measurement used by most of the world and propagated by pompous and pathetic Europeans/Asians/etc. who lack understanding of mathematics.

While you will find most socialist, war-losing Europeans talking about how the metric system is too hard for Americans to understand, is funny because the metric system is in place because of EASE OF USE. The imperial system of measurement is far more difficult and requires more thorough knowledge. That 12 inches are in 1 foot, 5280 feet in 1 mile. While the rest of the world was too idiotic to comprehend that, they developed a system of 10s to help them feel better about losing wars.

The imperial system has a main divisor of 2, while the metric system has a base of 10.

The metric system can not be visualized in any way, while any person can say that something is an inch, a foot or even a mile at the slightest glance.

The metric system was the reason for the Mars climate orbiter crash of 1999, which goes to show, it's not exactly as incredible as the surrender monkeys on the other side of the earth wish it was.

Pompous European Queer: lOlol Wow AmeriKa u So Stupid war for oil metric system!11

American: Go lose another war you cliche faggot.
Urban Dictionary: metric system

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Sun Nov 01, 2015 1:05 pm

Ahso!;1488589 wrote: Urban Dictionary: metric system

I guess I'm lucky then! I can visualise a centimeter as easily as I can an inch, though I tend to use Imperial mostly. I was educated in both systems, but I have to say that converting stuff from one to the other can be a pain in the nether end! Metric measurements and Imperial fractions mix like oil and water....

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Sun Nov 01, 2015 1:26 pm

Ahso!;1488589 wrote: A system of measurement used by most of the world and propagated by pompous and pathetic Europeans/Asians/etc. who lack understanding of mathematics.

While you will find most socialist, war-losing Europeans talking about how the metric system is too hard for Americans to understand, is funny because the metric system is in place because of EASE OF USE. The imperial system of measurement is far more difficult and requires more thorough knowledge. That 12 inches are in 1 foot, 5280 feet in 1 mile. While the rest of the world was too idiotic to comprehend that, they developed a system of 10s to help them feel better about losing wars.

The imperial system has a main divisor of 2, while the metric system has a base of 10.

The metric system can not be visualized in any way, while any person can say that something is an inch, a foot or even a mile at the slightest glance.

The metric system was the reason for the Mars climate orbiter crash of 1999, which goes to show, it's not exactly as incredible as the surrender monkeys on the other side of the earth wish it was.

Pompous European Queer: lOlol Wow AmeriKa u So Stupid war for oil metric system!11

American: Go lose another war you cliche faggot.
Urban Dictionary: metric system

What a strange entry! It does not speak well for the Urban Dictionary.

Firstly, I've never heard anyone suggest that the metric system is too difficult for *anyone* to understand - I've heard it suggested that the Americans are too insular / hidebound / stubborn to adopt it but never that it's too difficult for you to understand.

Secondly, any system of measurement can be visualised by someone brought up using it - lack of visualisation is a failure of the person, not of the system.

Thirdly, the error with the Mars Orbiter was an error in conversion, not an error in the metric system.

Finally - what on earth are those last two lines supposed to convey? To me that convey the stupidity of the original author more than anything else and should have been edited out by the keepers of the dictionary.

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Sun Nov 01, 2015 1:50 pm

I'm thinking it was written as a spoof on American conservatism. Either that or perhaps it was written by some halfwit dog turd.

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Sun Nov 01, 2015 2:06 pm

Ahso!;1488596 wrote: I'm thinking it was written as a spoof on American conservatism. Either that or perhaps it was written by some halfwit dog turd.

Well I never..............I agree with Ahso.

Post by **LarsMac** » Sun Nov 01, 2015 6:16 pm

I remember reading something where an entry from the Urban Dictionary was mentioned. I looked at a few definitions, and dismissed it as something intended to be humorous, but failing rather miserably.

As for the metric/Imperial/etc measurements, I grew up with both standards. I can easily make the conversions almost as easily as converting between Hex and Decimal numeric systems.

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Mon Nov 02, 2015 5:51 am

I grew up as a kid with £ s d. Explaining to my kids how to add up £14 9s 4d to 13s 11d I can only thank god for a decimal system.

My measuring tape at work is entirely metric. No feet and inches on it at all

But I am 6ft 1". No idea what I am in metres and no idea what 18 stone is them thingamy bobs.

I'm all over the place.

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Mon Nov 02, 2015 5:59 am

Snowfire;1488621 wrote: I grew up as a kid with £ s d. Explaining to my kids how to add up £14 9s 4d to 13s 11d I can only thank god for a decimal system.

My measuring tape at work is entirely metric. No feet and inches on it at all

But I am 6ft 1". No idea what I am in metres and no idea what 18 stone is them thingamy bobs.

I'm all over the place.We knew this already.

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Mon Nov 02, 2015 6:19 am

Snowfire;1488621 wrote: I grew up as a kid with £ s d. Explaining to my kids how to add up £14 9s 4d to 13s 11d I can only thank god for a decimal system.

My measuring tape at work is entirely metric. No feet and inches on it at all

But I am 6ft 1". No idea what I am in metres and no idea what 18 stone is them thingamy bobs.

I'm all over the place.

I am the same, I get weighed regularly but have no idea what it is in pounds shilling and pence, when the sun shines I have no idea if it's hot or not, is 22c hot or not ?

Snowfire · Post by **Snowfire** » Mon Nov 02, 2015 6:38 am

Bruv;1488625 wrote: I am the same, I get weighed regularly but have no idea what it is in pounds shilling and pence, when the sun shines I have no idea if it's hot or not, is 22c hot or not ?

Apparently I weigh about 4 bushels and yes, 22 grams is quite warm

Post by **LarsMac** » Mon Nov 02, 2015 10:50 am

Well, you don't need to be able figure it out, these days.

Just go here: Online Conversion - Convert just about anything to anything else

They can help

tude dog · Post by **tude dog** » Mon Nov 02, 2015 3:51 pm

It is one thing to learn they systems in school until one actually has to deal with it can one get some understanding.

Should we be standard or metric?

Wish somebody decided that a long time ago before I spent lots of money on tools.

Then there is the problem of when repairing an older machine, is it metric or what?

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Mon Nov 02, 2015 4:48 pm

Map 2 The countries that do not use the metric system.

Post by **LarsMac** » Mon Nov 02, 2015 7:33 pm

tude dog;1488658 wrote: It is one thing to learn they systems in school until one actually has to deal with it can one get some understanding.

Should we be standard or metric?

Wish somebody decided that a long time ago before I spent lots of money on tools.

Then there is the problem of when repairing an older machine, is it metric or what?

It was decided, back when we were kids, but then a bunch of conservatives decided to keep the US off metric, because they thought we would get confused. Besides, it would confuse the Russkies if they ever invaded.

Though somethings are just better with the old English system.

I prefer a Pint of Beer to .473 milliliters. and a Gallon to to 3.77 liters

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 3:55 am

LarsMac;1488684 wrote: It was decided, back when we were kids, but then a bunch of conservatives decided to keep the US off metric, because they thought we would get confused. Besides, it would confuse the Russkies if they ever invaded.

Though somethings are just better with the old English system.

I prefer a Pint of Beer to .473 milliliters. and a Gallon to to 3.77 liters

Personally I would prefer my Gallons to be 4.55 Litres - but then, that's a UK Gallon (which makes things even more confusing) - and the proper spelling of Litre.

How we view Metric & Imperial is also a strange thing. The UK seems to be neither one thing nor the other. Things seem to be sold in Metric terms, such as at the supermarket & fuel, yet (Road) Speeds & Distances tend to be measured in Imperial - although, as I know from my (failed) bike test, the speed tests have to be done at no less than 50kmh (32mph). Even with fuel efficiency the generally accepted norm tend to be in mpg. This means that when I fill Marcus up, the odometer is in Kilometers, so I then need to calculate the kml to mpg.

Then there are temperatures - in particular with reference to weather conditions. When it's hot we refer to it in Farenheit ("it's in the 90s"), but when it's cold we refer to it in Centigrade ("it's -2"). I've never been sure where the midway point is.

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 4:08 am

LarsMac;1488684 wrote: It was decided, back when we were kids, but then a bunch of conservatives decided to keep the US off metric, because they thought we would get confused. Besides, it would confuse the Russkies if they ever invaded.

Though somethings are just better with the old English system.

I prefer a Pint of Beer to .473 milliliters. and a Gallon to to 3.77 liters

The only trouble I would have with US measurements is the US gallon versus the 'English' gallon. At 1.20094992043 US gallons to 1 English gallon, I could foresee me running short of fuel (initially) if I was touring the US on a bike with no fuel gauge! I'm glad that the US didn't adopt the metric system (good old MPH!):wah:

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 4:27 am

Smaug;1488698 wrote: The only trouble I would have with US measurements is the US gallon versus the 'English' gallon. At 1.20094992043 US gallons to 1 English gallon, I could foresee me running short of fuel (initially) if I was touring the US on a bike with no fuel gauge! I'm glad that the US didn't adopt the metric system (good old MPH!):wah:
I don't know about you, but I know that my bike does about 300km to the tank - the 'tank' being about 10 Litres (about 85mpg - should be more, but I'm a big chap & am still a learner, using it mainly for urban riding), although the full capacity is 12.5 Litres, but as you know, the fuel guage will show you to be running on fumes when you've still got a couple of Litres to spare, so whenever I fill up I always zero the journey meter.

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 4:34 am

FourPart;1488702 wrote: I don't know about you, but I know that my bike does about 300km to the tank - the 'tank' being about 10 Litres (about 85mpg - should be more, but I'm a big chap & am still a learner, using it mainly for urban riding), although the full capacity is 12.5 Litres, but as you know, the fuel guage will show you to be running on fumes when you've still got a couple of Litres to spare, so whenever I fill up I always zero the journey meter.

I have to be a bit more aware of my fuel level as I ride(when its on the road) a tuned 750 Honda four cyl. It's a lovely machine; fast (I've raced a helicopter once!), comfy, stylish, and usually reliable. Mine's the black one in the top middle ( it's the 'spit' of it).

Honda Cb 750 fb pics - Yahoo Search Results

I always promised myself I'd get one of these, ever since my mate got one years ago.....

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 4:49 am

Mine's only a cheapy Chinese Import - Lexmoto Arrow 125cc (Lexmoto | Arrow 125 | HT125-4F | Lexmoto Motorcycles | 125cc Motorcycles | Leaner Legal Motorcycles | Arrow | 125), but bear in mind this is my first geared bike - moving on from the 50cc mopeds. I took my Mod 1 last week & failed. The reason I failed was what really annoyed me. It was on the hazard avoidance. I had made the swerve through the blue cones beautifully (even my instructor said that) then, relieved I had managed that pulled to a controlled stop. That's when I remembered I was supposed to have swerved back to the ride, so when I stopped, the cones were about 3m to my right. Apart from that I had only picked up 4 minor faults. 1 for stalling when pulling off for the emergency stop & 3 others for no doing observations. I also got a warning (not marked down) that I was going too fast for the emergency stop. I was supposed to be doing no less than 50kmh. I was clocked at 64kmh. The same with the hazard avoidance - although not so bad. Once again a minimum of 50kmh. I was clocked at 59kmh.

I may have failed but, still, I'll know better next time. All in all I don't think I did too bad at all. The Friday was my introduction to a 650cc The Sunday was a day at the Test Track. The Tuesday was the test. My only other experience has been on Marcus - and I seriously don't think he would have had the power to reach the required 50kmh in the distance allocated - let alone exceed it.

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 4:54 am

FourPart;1488706 wrote: Mine's only a cheapy Chinese Import - Lexmoto Arrow 125cc (Lexmoto | Arrow 125 | HT125-4F | Lexmoto Motorcycles | 125cc Motorcycles | Leaner Legal Motorcycles | Arrow | 125), but bear in mind this is my first geared bike - moving on from the 50cc mopeds. I took my Mod 1 last week & failed. The reason I failed was what really annoyed me. It was on the hazard avoidance. I had made the swerve through the blue cones beautifully (even my instructor said that) then, relieved I had managed that pulled to a controlled stop. That's when I remembered I was supposed to have swerved back to the ride, so when I stopped, the cones were about 3m to my right. Apart from that I had only picked up 4 minor faults. 1 for stalling when pulling off for the emergency stop & 3 others for no doing observations. I also got a warning (not marked down) that I was going too fast for the emergency stop. I was supposed to be doing no less than 50kmh. I was clocked at 64kmh. The same with the hazard avoidance - although not so bad. Once again a minimum of 50kmh. I was clocked at 59kmh.

I may have failed but, still, I'll know better next time. All in all I don't think I did too bad at all. The Friday was my introduction to a 650cc The Sunday was a day at the Test Track. The Tuesday was the test. My only other experience has been on Marcus - and I seriously don't think he would have had the power to reach the required 50kmh in the distance allocated - let alone exceed it.

That's a nice-looking bike, FourPart! I'd be happy enough tazzing around on that for 'local work'! The Chinese have certainly come on 'in leaps and bounds' with styling over the last few years. If it runs as nicely as it looks, it must be a fun ride!

AS regards your test;older and wiser- you'll know what to watch for next time!

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 8:47 am

LarsMac;1488684 wrote: It was decided, back when we were kids, but then a bunch of conservatives decided to keep the US off metric, because they thought we would get confused. Besides, it would confuse the Russkies if they ever invaded.

Though somethings are just better with the old English system.

I prefer a Pint of Beer to .473 milliliters. and a Gallon to to 3.77 liters

Surely that's 565ml and 4.55l

Post by **LarsMac** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 9:03 am

Bryn Mawr;1488711 wrote: Surely that's 565ml and 4.55l

Not on this side of the pond

Though I much prefer your Pint

gmc · Post by **gmc** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 11:21 am

I suppose it would be rude to point out that they use decimal currency or that the dollar is derived from spanish currency.

Maybe it was just could use ten fingers to count up and do sums rather than deal with the complexities if pounds shilling and pence the mathematics being too complex fopr simple coploinials.:sneaky:

Post by **Bryn Mawr** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 11:55 am

LarsMac;1488712 wrote: Not on this side of the pond

Though I much prefer your Pint

Although you'd get the good end of the bargain moving to half litres whereas we feel decidedly short changed.

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Tue Nov 03, 2015 8:13 pm

I seem to remember the US Quarter originates from the original Pieces of Eight, where the coins would have 4 diagonal crimps in them, so that the coins could be snapped into 2, 4 or 8. Something about a 'Bit' being 1/8 of the coin, so 2 Bits (2/8) = a Quarter.

Mark Aspam · Post by **Mark Aspam** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 1:21 pm

I am always amused by such discussions because the Metric System has been the official measuring system of the USA since 1893, and that is not likely to change.

I don't know of any retail store in this city (Champaign, Illinois) where I can walk in and buy an ordinary ruler or tape measure that does not have both metric and "English" measurements.

I don't know of any hardware store in this city that sells wrenches in "English" measurements but none in metric.

I don't know of any radio or television station in this country that measures its broadcast frequency in anything other than metric numbers.

That many Americans prefer the "English" system...for whatever reason...well, hey, it's a free country.

Bruv · Post by **Bruv** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 2:50 pm

Mark Aspam;1489005 wrote: I am always amused by such discussions because the Metric System has been the official measuring system of the USA since 1893, and that is not likely to change.

I don't know of any retail store in this city (Champaign, Illinois) where I can walk in and buy an ordinary ruler or tape measure that does not have both metric and "English" measurements.

I don't know of any hardware store in this city that sells wrenches in "English" measurements but none in metric.

I don't know of any radio or television station in this country that measures its broadcast frequency in anything other than metric numbers.

That many Americans prefer the "English" system...for whatever reason...well, hey, it's a free country.

An English wrench is an adjustable spanner, funnily enough the link shows Imperial sizes.

The Bolt Depot supplies Imperial sizes, and we in the UK can buy both Imperial and Metric nuts and bolts, which adds to confusion when replacing parts.

Having to carry both standards of tools and replacement parts is totally illogical.

Ahso! · Post by **Ahso!** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 2:56 pm

Bruv;1489019 wrote: An English wrench is an adjustable spanner, funnily enough the link shows Imperial sizes.

The Bolt Depot supplies Imperial sizes, and we in the UK can buy both Imperial and Metric nuts and bolts, which adds to confusion when replacing parts.

Having to carry both standards of tools and replacement parts is totally illogical.Not to mention excessively expensive, which is probably behind the dual system. Anything to extract money from the public. In theory I don't have a problem with that provided people have the disposable income to do it with.

Post by **LarsMac** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 3:25 pm

Bruv;1489019 wrote: An English wrench is an adjustable spanner, funnily enough the link shows Imperial sizes.

The Bolt Depot supplies Imperial sizes, and we in the UK can buy both Imperial and Metric nuts and bolts, which adds to confusion when replacing parts.

Having to carry both standards of tools and replacement parts is totally illogical.

Well I always keep both Imperial and Metric adjustable wrenches in my toolbox. Same with pliers.

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 6:25 pm

LarsMac;1489028 wrote: Well I always keep both Imperial and Metric adjustable wrenches in my toolbox. Same with pliers.
As well as both a Metric & Imperial sized hammer.

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 6:31 pm

FourPart;1489059 wrote: As well as both a Metric & Imperial sized hammer.

Would that be a right-handed, or a left-handed hammer?

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 6:51 pm

Smaug;1489060 wrote: Would that be a right-handed, or a left-handed hammer?

Depends which way up it is.

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 7:04 pm

FourPart;1489061 wrote: Depends which way up it is.

Have you got a bubble I can borrow for my spirit-level?

Post by **LarsMac** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 7:05 pm

Smaug;1489063 wrote: Have you got a bubble I can borrow for my spirit-level?

Is that a metric Level?

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 7:06 pm

LarsMac;1489065 wrote: Is that a metric Level?

No, I wanted an Imperial bubble.

FourPart · Post by **FourPart** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 7:09 pm

Smaug;1489066 wrote: No, I wanted an Imperial bubble.

Others Level Bubble - A (Small Block) - HeliPal

Smaug · Post by **Smaug** » Fri Nov 06, 2015 7:11 pm

FourPart;1489067 wrote: Others Level Bubble - A (Small Block) - HeliPal

That's not an Imperial bubble, it's metric!