to a large extent, the ounce and the fluid ounce are obsolete measures, and especially in comparison with the more practicable kilogram and liter.
the kilogram is easy to compare in terms of gram without a calculator, as is the liter in terms of milliliter. a volume of 1 liter of water also provides a very useful reference to a mass of 1 kilogram. with metric units it is easier to make more types of comparisons better. none of this ease of comparison is possible with the ounce or the fluid ounce, much less with the other pre-metric units of pound, quart, gallon, and so on. i see the ounce and the fluid ounce as cluttered expressions that are impracticable to compare. as such i won't measure in terms of an ounce or a fluid ounce if there isn't a reason to use these less-practicable measures. sure, weighing flour on a scale is more accurate than measuring its volume by cup. yet as so many recipes that call for measures are written in terms of 'handy' measures such as cans, cups, and spoons, i don't have too much difficulty using or adjusting to a cup or a tablespoon measure. that's why i think that the ounce and the fluid ounce should be deprecated in US commerce. i think that a voluntary option for metric-only labeling would be a good way to accommodate business. and i think that consumers will buy goods with metric only labels, and cook with recipes that have practicable metric information. there are also many ways in which this metrication can help productivity. i buy metrication in the US. even with some updates to metricate yet to be accomplished, i don't buy that pre-metric is American. the tradition of early units may have been adapted from British or Roman measures. and so are the sandwich and the salad. i may think of the sandwich as British or a salad as Roman or a pizza as Italian. i will also buy that a sandwich, salad, or pizza can be American cuisine. i don't however buy that pre-metric measures of ounce or fluid ounce are important to American cuisine, or for that matter commerce. best regards, and cheers, Ron -- -------------------- Ron Stone ------------------------- disclaimers or other restrictions may apply to this message. ------------------------------------
