The metric system got its start after the French Revolution and is itself the most successful revolution in human history, having taken over 96% of the world without spilling a drop of blood. Given the advent of hand-held digital calculators, which give results in decimals rather than fractions, it’s way more up to date than ACHU (the Accidental Collection of Heterogeneous Units).
It certainly should not be called the “English system”, for 2 reasons:
(1) The English themselves have come to their senses and use the metric system.
(2) There’s nothing systematic about it. Systems are designed. ACHU “just growed”. 3 grains to the inch, 12 inches to the foot, 3 feet to the yard, 5.5 yards per rod, 4 rods per chain, 10 chains per furlong, and 8 furlongs per mile. Each of those units was originally used in a small locality, and when they started to interact with each other, it was necessary to figure out how many of ours fit into one of yours — and it was hardly ever a nice, neat, easy-to-use number like 10.
“If God had wanted us to use the metric system, he would have given us 10 fingers.” —Ashleigh Brilliant
enigmamz almost 2 years ago
Durn Commie Euros!!!
aciem88 almost 2 years ago
He hooked up with a millipede.
sandpiper almost 2 years ago
Failed in the stretch
P51Strega almost 2 years ago
Ms. Inchworm doesn’t need him. Some day she’ll spread her wings and fly while he’s still crawling around in the muck.
Beaker almost 2 years ago
2.54 centimeterworm, 2.54 centimeterworm, measuring the marigolds……..
blackman2732 almost 2 years ago
He was happy to “meter” but failed when he tried to be her “ruler.”
uniquename almost 2 years ago
She took his measure and found him wanting.
jasonsnakelover almost 2 years ago
One time I was two feet tall.
InTraining almost 2 years ago
Ms. Inchworm – keep an eye out for robbins….!
Spiffy almost 2 years ago
How are we supposed to tell that that’s a female inch worm if she doesn’t have eye lashes and a ribbon in her hair?
the lost wizard almost 2 years ago
That would really bug me. :)
raybarb44 almost 2 years ago
How dare he….
Richard S Russell Premium Member almost 2 years ago
The metric system got its start after the French Revolution and is itself the most successful revolution in human history, having taken over 96% of the world without spilling a drop of blood. Given the advent of hand-held digital calculators, which give results in decimals rather than fractions, it’s way more up to date than ACHU (the Accidental Collection of Heterogeneous Units).
It certainly should not be called the “English system”, for 2 reasons:
(1) The English themselves have come to their senses and use the metric system.
(2) There’s nothing systematic about it. Systems are designed. ACHU “just growed”. 3 grains to the inch, 12 inches to the foot, 3 feet to the yard, 5.5 yards per rod, 4 rods per chain, 10 chains per furlong, and 8 furlongs per mile. Each of those units was originally used in a small locality, and when they started to interact with each other, it was necessary to figure out how many of ours fit into one of yours — and it was hardly ever a nice, neat, easy-to-use number like 10.
“If God had wanted us to use the metric system, he would have given us 10 fingers.” —Ashleigh Brilliant
The Brooklyn Accent almost 2 years ago
So she got out of the yard.
thejanith Premium Member almost 2 years ago
oooohh, that is awful – - ly good! Thanks for the chuckle. Great addition to any day.
Sailor46 USN 65-95 almost 2 years ago
She must be American.