When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, `it means just what I choose it to mean--neither more nor less.' `The question is,' said Alice, `whether you CAN make words mean so many different things.' `The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, `which is to be master - that's all.'
> From: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Reply-To: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 13:16:56 -0500 (CDT) > To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]> > Subject: [USMA:40676] Promoting Metrication > > Ernie, > > I applaud your efforts to promote metrication in the USA! > > However, please *do consider* Bill Potts message below. > > The word "metric" is an adjective. > > Appropriate terms for USMA objectives are "metric units" or "metric system" or > "metric system of units"; or the symbol SI for each of the above terms. > > The word "metrics" is a noun, unrelated to SI in particular, although it is > widely used as Bill explains below to access performance of a campaign or > process. > > Gene Mechtly. > > ---- Original message ---- >> Date: Wed, 26 Mar 2008 08:28:05 -0700 >> From: "Bill Potts" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> Subject: [USMA:40674] RE: Furthering Metrics >> To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]> >> >> Ernie: >> >> Did you miss my recent message about the use of the >> term "metrics?" >> >> Basically, it said that the word "metrics" appears >> nowhere in official documentation on the metric >> system or in related standards documentation. >> Rather, it's a non-technical term, unrelated to the >> metric system, that refers, broadly, to the means by >> which one measures the effectiveness of something >> (e.g., an advertising campaign). >> >> Metric, as used in the context of the Modern Metric >> System (SI) is an adjective and, therefore, is never >> written in the plural. >> >> The goal of organizations like the US Metric >> Association is to further the use of the Modern >> Metric System (which, of course, involves the use of >> metric units). >> >> Please accept this as information, not as criticism. >> >> Bill Potts >> >> ------------------------------------------------ >> >> Bill Potts >> Roseville, CA >> http://metric1.org [SI Navigator] >
