Comments on: Why Americans Measure in Football Fields & Likely Always Will

By: DJ Austin

DJ Austin — Sat, 21 Mar 2026 16:39:36 +0000

The MAIN problem with the metric system is that it’s based on TEN, which is ONLY divisible by TWO and FIVE. We should actually be using a base TWELVE system, which is divisible by TWO, THREE, FOUR, and SIX. There are a great many measurements which are base twelve already and will NEVER be based on division by five (division by two already works in a base twelve system). Try to buy a five-pack of beer, or pack several ten-packs of eggs on a pallet, or explain how long a quarter-hour (fifteen minutes) would be in a twenty hour day. I’m all for eliminating the metric system entirely, and believe that in a thousand years it’ll be a curiosity of history.
By the way, counting by twelve is actually EASIER than counting by ten. If you use your thumb for a marker, touch in turn each of the three segments of your four fingers to count to twelve, then use the other hand to count the twelves. Two hands, twelve dozen (144 in base ten). Base ten? Five fingers x two hands, THAT’S IT!

By: Roger L Nay

Roger L Nay — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 14:21:03 +0000

Fun post Kristen, I nearly spit out my noggin of coffee. I think we should go back to spans, leagues, and palms. That’s coming from a man who’s a rod in height and weighs a little less than 3 1/2 firkins. Or to be more precise 13 1/2 stone.

By: Kristen Lamb

Kristen Lamb — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 14:04:06 +0000

In reply to daleamidei. Oh most definitely, LOL.

By: Carl D'Agostino

Carl D'Agostino — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 13:57:43 +0000

On the other hand, I missed the lottery by one number.

By: daleamidei

daleamidei — Sat, 07 Mar 2026 02:28:47 +0000

Part of it might be an unwilling subconscious glad it escaped being European.

‘Murica, baby.

By: Kristen Lamb

Kristen Lamb — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 23:15:14 +0000

In reply to V.M.Sang. GURL! I HAVE TO LOOK ALL THAT UP! I wish they'd just PICK SOMETHING. It's a constant mishmash here, too. Glad you enjoyed. Good to know I am not the only one with geeky humor :P

By: Damian Trasler

Damian Trasler — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 22:38:05 +0000

I heard my wife explaining to our visitors from the UK that, in Canada, we measure distance by time – as in, Kelowna is four hours from here….

By: V.M.Sang

V.M.Sang — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 21:04:44 +0000

An amusing post.Thanks for God giggles.I love the measurements in swallows or Cheerio boxes. I wonder how many individual Cheerios in the distance to Mars? :))
But I’d like to remind you that here in the UK we used Imperial measurements until we began the change in 1965. It took until the end of the 20th century to more or less complete it, although some things haven’t changed, such as miles (although we use metres and millimetres), pints for milk and beer, and many people weigh themselves in stones (not pounds, which doesn’t mean much to me) and feet.
But in the US, you use metric for your currency!
The UK changed largely to facilitate trade with the rest of the world.
But one thing that I find irritating is the use of ‘cups’ and ‘spoons’ in recipes. I have to look it up every time as they aren’t measures we have here. I can cope with pounds and ounces, and pints, but not cups.

By: C. Love

C. Love — Fri, 06 Mar 2026 19:05:10 +0000

Love your posts. I’m glad I’m not the only one whose brain pursues these circuitous intrigues. Thanks for the laffs.