This discussion and all the confusion about different  legacy measurement units 
used around the world and still being used in some  places for some common 
cultural measurements is exactly the arguments why we need SI!

Howard

From: USMA <[email protected]> On Behalf Of John Steele
Sent: Thursday, October 31, 2019 7:59 AM
To: [email protected]; Tom Wade <[email protected]>
Subject: [USMA 1254] Re: labeling


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I did not mean to imply that you don't know the difference, if that is how you 
took it.  But we, the US, use US units and trade in the Caribbean with people 
who still use Imperial units.  Due to subtle changes (eg, the inch definition 
in terms of SI), some of those units are not exactly what they were back in the 
Colonial period either. The US gallon is still 231 in³ (the old Queen Anne wine 
gallon), but the inch isn't what it used to be.  We need to be clear that they 
are US units, currently defined and maintained by a US agency, NIST.

I agree that US Customary is "Some Old British Nonsense" but actually calling 
them that adds to the potential for confusion with our trading partners and we 
intend to keep calling them Customary.

Just as it is incorrect to call them "Freedom Units" (as some Americans do) it 
is silly and confusing to call the WOMBAT, obsolete British units, or any other 
silly name.  At least, that's my view.

On Thursday, October 31, 2019, 6:43:35 AM EDT, Tom Wade 
<[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote:



On 2019-10-29 22:03, John Steele wrote:
Sorry, Tom, but I have to disagree.

Customary is NOT Imperial, there are several differences. ...
I know they are different.  As I said,

Call it "British Colonial Measure" (to distinguish it from the British Imperial 
system, that was a reform of 1824).
I don't recommend calling it "British Imperial" as this would be factually 
inaccurate.  I suggested "British Colonial" because it is different from 
"British Imperial" but calling up images of the Colonial period, and 
emphasising it is NOT an American system.  Calling it "Customary" is OK too, 
but I'd recommend not calling it "US" anything, as there are too many people 
whose misguided patriotism will be triggered.



Tom Wade

[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>

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