xkcd helps us understand the metric system
POSTED BY: daveshayne
UPDATED: Tuesday, January 6, 2009 18:23
VIEWED: 4051
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Britain has an odd mix of metric (most items are sold in kilograms and litres) and imperial (we still have pints and miles). It was only 1971 when we switched to metric currency too, abandoning the imperial system as explained by Sir Terry Pratchett here:
Quote:
Two farthings = one ha’penny. Two ha’pennies = one penny. Three pennies = A thruppeny bit. Two thrupences = a sixpence. Two sixpences = one shilling, or bob. Two bob = a florin. One florin and one sixpence = half a crown. Four half crowns = ten bob note. Two ten bob notes = one pound (or 240 pennies). One pound and one shilling = one guinea.
The British resisted decimalized currency for a long time because they thought it was too complicated.
Don't forget to check the alt-tag of the xkcd image for a little extra Firefly love.
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Love the xkcd strips!
The US military has been using the metric system for some time (not sure when "klicks" came into the vocabulary, but there ya have it).
-Raycheetah =^[.]^=
The enjoyment of any good thing is only enhanced by sharing it with others.
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