Re: Metric Time (was Re: Why not 13 months? (Was La Systeme Metrique))
Cindy Kandolf (cindy@nvg.unit.no)
10 Oct 1995 09:56:49 GMT
In article <1995Oct9.150917.6004@sixpints.demon.co.uk> Tony Quinn
<tonyquin@sixpints.demon.co.uk> writes:
> Reams of drivel deleted due to the fact that pints and quarts are used
> as liquid measures and fruit, being solid, is generally sold in pounds and
> ounces. I now understand where all the problems lie when U.S. parents
> don't know which set of units to use for a given item. Or did they expect
> you to get a 20oz glass and cram strawberries in untuil there was no air
> space. Sheesh... No wonder some Herns want metrication.
Here's a free clue for you: The World Is a Very Big Place.
A pint is a measure of volume, and there's no natural law saying you
can't measure solids by volume. I worked in a grocery store in the US
for several years while going to school. Most produce was sold by the
pound, but fresh berries came in pint and half-pint baskets. The
summer i worked in the deli, customers would often tell me they wanted
"a pint of potato salad" even though the price was given per pound
(and we had pint and quart containers available because the request
was so common). American recipes do sometimes specify "1 pint
strawberries".
No, you don't cram them into a 16 oz glass. (US pints are 16 oz, not
20.) You pile them into a 16 oz basket; some air space is expected.
If you want everyone else to leave Britain alone on its non-metric
island, you might consider leaving the US alone in chosing to measure
a limited set of solids by volume rather than weight. Consistency and
all that.
-Cindy Kandolf, certified language mechanic, mamma flodnak
cindy@nvg.unit.no Trondheim, Norway
We're looking for a little, bewildered girl.
Bring back the Vicki Robinson .sig virus!
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