> Of Pat Naughtin >For people not used to 'standards' such as those embodied in SI, >it must be quite confusing when they are confronted with fixed >'standards' and strict 'definitions' when their only experiences in >this area are with dictionary writers who offer them >'descriptions' based (as the Oxford English Dictionary puts it on >its from cover) 'On Historical Principles'.
You have just made explicit the reason why I get frustrated with people using custom and familiarity as a reason why they need not follow standards. I can understand that casual use of measurement terms deserves a relaxed approach, but formal use deserves a more formal approach. I had not thought of the distinction between a definition and a description. Thanks for drawing it to my attention.
