I would suggest do not replace these colloquialisms – both of these (and others, like yardstick) now have meanings that bear little relationship to their original measurement purpose, but instead have much wider connotations that are used around the English speaking world (and other countries where English is understood to some degree).
John F-L From: [email protected] Sent: Monday, August 11, 2014 12:21 AM To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:54283] RE: He won’t touch issue with 3.048-meter pole Al Lawrence. In my opinion, your evaluation is accurate (and also unfortunate). I wonder about common expressions like footage and milestone. What words could we use in lieu of such words? Any ideas? ----- Message from Al Lawrence <[email protected]> --------- Date: Sun, 10 Aug 2014 12:44:43 -0700 From: Al Lawrence <[email protected]> Reply-To: [email protected] Subject: [USMA:54282] RE: He won’t touch issue with 3.048-meter pole To: "U.S. Metric Association" <[email protected]> I think this sums up the attitude of most Americans perfectly. They know a lot of things in the US are already metric, they think going to metric seems like a good idea and that maybe someone should finally make a decision, but in the end, they just don't want to bother. Al Lawrence > Subject: [USMA:54281] He won’t touch issue with 3.048-meter pole > From: [email protected] > Date: Sun, 10 Aug 2014 14:23:45 -0500 > To: [email protected] > > > http://www.redlandsdailyfacts.com/lifestyle/20140809/he-wont-touch-issue-with-3048-meter-pole > > > Sent from my iPhone > ----- End message from Al Lawrence <[email protected]> ----- No virus found in this message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 2014.0.4744 / Virus Database: 4007/8012 - Release Date: 08/10/14
