Metric vs. other measurement systems - chart

[marksbug]

they forgot to add hand full and mouth full.

[IntheGroove]

And the ever popular butt load...

[bruce.desertrat]

And the pinch, a smidge, a little bit, and grandma's ever favorite: "enough"

[hemmjo]

It is raining here. I cannot work outside. I know I have 100's of things I should be doing inside, but instead I was waisting time online. Found this video I thought might be of interest to this group. Listen carefully for a couple of references to various non standard units of weight, (a couple of US nickels) for example.

[mklotz]

While I wouldn't recommend quoting weights in units of nickels, the fact that a nickel weighs 5 grams is handy for impromptu scale checking, not to mention the ease of remembering that 5 cents weighs 5 grams.

[Toolmaker51]

While I wouldn't recommend quoting weights in units of nickels, the fact that a nickel weighs 5 grams is handy for impromptu scale checking, not to mention the ease of remembering that 5 cents weighs 5 grams.

Relatable concerning reference weights. The famous author, especially on subject of reloading, Dean Grennell, told how his first powder scale was home made. His efforts at calibration were via aspirin tablets, bottle labeled as 5 grains.
Not so, 5 grains was weight of active content, less of course than complete tablet. He was lucky to not overcharge handgun cartridges with energetic powder like Hercules Bullseye, a favorite target composition. In .38 Special, the standard was 2.7 grains, a bit more with Unique.
BTW one pound = 7000 grains, 1 gram is 15.4323583529 grains...

[marksbug]

if I had a grain of salt and a nickel for every thime i wanted to weigh somethen I could make a margarita...for one of those tok tic hootchies visiting the photo shop for some body work and torn clothes.

[Philip Davies]

I hope that this cartoon, originally published in “Punch” in 1914, will amuse you.
Although I grew up with pounds, shillings and pence, the sum was too difficult for my mental arithmetic. I expect, though, most of the adult readers at the time would have reached the answer rapidly. Would you like to know why?

[Philip Davies]

Unfortunately the print is difficult to read. The schoolmaster asks Tertius what 4% of £5 would be. Tertius’s second guess is the nearest.

[bruce.desertrat]

Well, they were used to mental gymnastics, or...the other party always accepted just which answer the other came up with : )

"It's three shillings, two ha-penny and three groats!" (I will note that my entire knowledge of the old system of English currency comes from Mary Poppins )

At least Thomas Jefferson prevailed with our currency....4% of 5 bucks is 20 cents.