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Stone free....

ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
edited 2004-07-13 07:11 in General Discussion
A guy I work with in Maryland is British and gets big music speakers
(concert cabinets) shipped from England, and he's always talking about this
or that "weighing 20 stone or thereabout". So you may want to use the
singular version of "stone" rather than the plural "stones" in conversation,
but I'm not too sure of all the usage etiquette.

We could also use fractional fathoms, I suppose.

Bob's your Uncle....

Mike Sokol
mike@f...

Original Message
From: "SB" <steve.brady@r...>
To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 6:00 PM
Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Memsic kit


> Although Great Britain still weighs some things in "stones" (approx =
14lbs
> or ~6kg).
> what is "stones"...is that imperial??
>
>
>
Original Message
> From: "ECO" <ecourt@s...>
> To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 11:09 AM
> Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Memsic kit
>
>
> > Chuck
> > 0.1" = 2.54mm.
> > Great Britain and Canada already adopted the metric system.
> > As always, USA does it his own way.
> > Regards
> > ECO
> >
> >
Original Message
> > From: "Chuck Britton" <britton@a...>
> > To: "Jon Williams" <jwilliams@p...>;
<basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
> > Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 4:08 PM
> > Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Memsic kit
> >
> >
> > > purely out of curiosity - is there ANY difference between 0.1" and
0.25
> mm?
> > > If we (US) still use the inch thing - is anyone (or group) planning
the
> change?
> > >
> > > this is not intended as a flame starter - just curious
> >
> >
> >
> > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
> > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
> > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
and
> Body of the message will be ignored.
> >
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> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
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>
>
> To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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> from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
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Comments

  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-07-08 03:03
    In my experience most use the term 'stones' when
    referring to personal weight, in industry most use
    pounds and ounces. Although this year when I went over
    nearly everything was only listed as metric really
    confusing especially when I had to shop in a plumbing
    dept - 22mm pipe aaaaaghhhh.
    Even though I use metric most of the time some things
    shouldn't change like 1/2" pipe. - I must be older
    than I realized.

    Nigel (Ex Brit)

    --- Mike Sokol <mike@f...> wrote:
    > A guy I work with in Maryland is British and gets
    > big music speakers
    > (concert cabinets) shipped from England, and he's
    > always talking about this
    > or that "weighing 20 stone or thereabout". So you
    > may want to use the
    > singular version of "stone" rather than the plural
    > "stones" in conversation,
    > but I'm not too sure of all the usage etiquette.
    >
    > We could also use fractional fathoms, I suppose.
    >
    > Bob's your Uncle....
    >
    > Mike Sokol
    > mike@f...
    >
    >
    Original Message
    > From: "SB" <steve.brady@r...>
    > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 6:00 PM
    > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Memsic kit
    >
    >
    > > Although Great Britain still weighs some things in
    > "stones" (approx =
    > 14lbs
    > > or ~6kg).
    > > what is "stones"...is that imperial??
    > >
    > >
    > >
    Original Message
    > > From: "ECO" <ecourt@s...>
    > > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > > Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 11:09 AM
    > > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Memsic kit
    > >
    > >
    > > > Chuck
    > > > 0.1" = 2.54mm.
    > > > Great Britain and Canada already adopted the
    > metric system.
    > > > As always, USA does it his own way.
    > > > Regards
    > > > ECO
    > > >
    > > >
    Original Message
    > > > From: "Chuck Britton"
    > <britton@a...>
    > > > To: "Jon Williams" <jwilliams@p...>;
    > <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > > > Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 4:08 PM
    > > > Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Memsic kit
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > > purely out of curiosity - is there ANY
    > difference between 0.1" and
    > 0.25
    > > mm?
    > > > > If we (US) still use the inch thing - is
    > anyone (or group) planning
    > the
    > > change?
    > > > >
    > > > > this is not intended as a flame starter - just
    > curious
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > > from the same email address that you subscribed.
    > Text in the Subject
    > and
    > > Body of the message will be ignored.
    > > >
    > > > Yahoo! Groups Links
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > from the same email address that you subscribed.
    > Text in the Subject and
    > Body of the message will be ignored.
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    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
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    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-07-08 03:14
    Before everybody gets on my case I know 22mm is not
    the equivilent of 1/2" the main supply of plumbing
    pipe used to be 1/2", 3/4" and 1" and now it would
    seem they use 15mm and 22mm (should have written that
    the first time)

    --- Nigel Emms <rulingshogun@y...> wrote:
    > In my experience most use the term 'stones' when
    > referring to personal weight, in industry most use
    > pounds and ounces. Although this year when I went
    > over
    > nearly everything was only listed as metric really
    > confusing especially when I had to shop in a
    > plumbing
    > dept - 22mm pipe aaaaaghhhh.
    > Even though I use metric most of the time some
    > things
    > shouldn't change like 1/2" pipe. - I must be older
    > than I realized.
    >
    > Nigel (Ex Brit)
    >
    > --- Mike Sokol <mike@f...> wrote:
    > > A guy I work with in Maryland is British and gets
    > > big music speakers
    > > (concert cabinets) shipped from England, and he's
    > > always talking about this
    > > or that "weighing 20 stone or thereabout". So you
    > > may want to use the
    > > singular version of "stone" rather than the plural
    > > "stones" in conversation,
    > > but I'm not too sure of all the usage etiquette.
    > >
    > > We could also use fractional fathoms, I suppose.
    > >
    > > Bob's your Uncle....
    > >
    > > Mike Sokol
    > > mike@f...
    > >
    > >
    Original Message
    > > From: "SB" <steve.brady@r...>
    > > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > > Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 6:00 PM
    > > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Memsic kit
    > >
    > >
    > > > Although Great Britain still weighs some things
    > in
    > > "stones" (approx =
    > > 14lbs
    > > > or ~6kg).
    > > > what is "stones"...is that imperial??
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    Original Message
    > > > From: "ECO" <ecourt@s...>
    > > > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > > > Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 11:09 AM
    > > > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Memsic kit
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > > Chuck
    > > > > 0.1" = 2.54mm.
    > > > > Great Britain and Canada already adopted the
    > > metric system.
    > > > > As always, USA does it his own way.
    > > > > Regards
    > > > > ECO
    > > > >
    > > > >
    Original Message
    > > > > From: "Chuck Britton"
    > > <britton@a...>
    > > > > To: "Jon Williams" <jwilliams@p...>;
    > > <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > > > > Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 4:08 PM
    > > > > Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Memsic kit
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > > > purely out of curiosity - is there ANY
    > > difference between 0.1" and
    > > 0.25
    > > > mm?
    > > > > > If we (US) still use the inch thing - is
    > > anyone (or group) planning
    > > the
    > > > change?
    > > > > >
    > > > > > this is not intended as a flame starter -
    > just
    > > curious
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > > > from the same email address that you
    > subscribed.
    > > Text in the Subject
    > > and
    > > > Body of the message will be ignored.
    > > > >
    > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-07-08 03:36
    I'm fairly young (despite what the hairline would indicate) and grew up in
    Canada. But have little perception of metric measurements.
    I can picture 1/4" better than 3mm (if that's even what 1/4" is...).


    Original Message
    From: "Nigel Emms" <rulingshogun@y...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 10:03 PM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stone free....


    > In my experience most use the term 'stones' when
    > referring to personal weight, in industry most use
    > pounds and ounces. Although this year when I went over
    > nearly everything was only listed as metric really
    > confusing especially when I had to shop in a plumbing
    > dept - 22mm pipe aaaaaghhhh.
    > Even though I use metric most of the time some things
    > shouldn't change like 1/2" pipe. - I must be older
    > than I realized.
    >
    > Nigel (Ex Brit)
    >
    > --- Mike Sokol <mike@f...> wrote:
    > > A guy I work with in Maryland is British and gets
    > > big music speakers
    > > (concert cabinets) shipped from England, and he's
    > > always talking about this
    > > or that "weighing 20 stone or thereabout". So you
    > > may want to use the
    > > singular version of "stone" rather than the plural
    > > "stones" in conversation,
    > > but I'm not too sure of all the usage etiquette.
    > >
    > > We could also use fractional fathoms, I suppose.
    > >
    > > Bob's your Uncle....
    > >
    > > Mike Sokol
    > > mike@f...
    > >
    > >
    Original Message
    > > From: "SB" <steve.brady@r...>
    > > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > > Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 6:00 PM
    > > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Memsic kit
    > >
    > >
    > > > Although Great Britain still weighs some things in
    > > "stones" (approx =
    > > 14lbs
    > > > or ~6kg).
    > > > what is "stones"...is that imperial??
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    Original Message
    > > > From: "ECO" <ecourt@s...>
    > > > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > > > Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 11:09 AM
    > > > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Memsic kit
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > > Chuck
    > > > > 0.1" = 2.54mm.
    > > > > Great Britain and Canada already adopted the
    > > metric system.
    > > > > As always, USA does it his own way.
    > > > > Regards
    > > > > ECO
    > > > >
    > > > >
    Original Message
    > > > > From: "Chuck Britton"
    > > <britton@a...>
    > > > > To: "Jon Williams" <jwilliams@p...>;
    > > <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > > > > Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 4:08 PM
    > > > > Subject: RE: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Memsic kit
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > > > purely out of curiosity - is there ANY
    > > difference between 0.1" and
    > > 0.25
    > > > mm?
    > > > > > If we (US) still use the inch thing - is
    > > anyone (or group) planning
    > > the
    > > > change?
    > > > > >
    > > > > > this is not intended as a flame starter - just
    > > curious
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > > > from the same email address that you subscribed.
    > > Text in the Subject
    > > and
    > > > Body of the message will be ignored.
    > > > >
    > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > > from the same email address that you subscribed.
    > > Text in the Subject and
    > > Body of the message will be ignored.
    > > >
    > > > Yahoo! Groups Links
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > from the same email address that you subscribed.
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    > > ignored.
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    > >
    > >
    > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
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  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-07-08 03:51
    Mike Sokol wrote:

    >A guy I work with in Maryland is British and gets big music speakers
    >(concert cabinets) shipped from England, and he's always talking about this
    >or that "weighing 20 stone or thereabout". So you may want to use the
    >singular version of "stone" rather than the plural "stones" in conversation,
    >but I'm not too sure of all the usage etiquette.
    >
    >We could also use fractional fathoms, I suppose.
    >
    >Bob's your Uncle....
    >
    >
    >
    Actually, Sam's your Uncle [noparse]:)[/noparse]

    In the pre-metric UK you use the singular for the weight. So four (or is
    it five) Stones is an old a rock group [noparse]:)[/noparse]. In the UK, 1 Stone is
    exactly 14 Lbs. And an Imperial ( UK) Pint is 20 (US) Fluid ounces.
    But there are still 8 UK pints to an Imperial Gallon. Be carefull if
    purchasing a UK car so that you understand what it's mpg really
    means.The number is higher than it would be in the US.

    8 Stone is 1 " hundredweight - cwt." or 112 Lbs. 20 Hundredweight is
    an English Ton of 2240 Lbs. So there is a hierarchy if you care enough
    to follow it. Most of the different measures arose from the practices of
    the various "Guilds", who were the craft group forerunners of the
    different sectors of the later industries. Naturally they came up with
    schemes of units that closely fitted the materials they dealt with.
    Carats for jewelry, Stones for dry goods, drams for spirits, pints and
    gallons for consumable liquids. Not sure who came up with the Pounds,
    Shillings and Pence for the currency.

    To go somewhat to topic, I remember trying to write complex assembler
    sub routines to handle English accounting, I don't think any early
    computer languages had UK weights and measures functions built in.
    Although when living there, just about every body used to do the maths
    in their heads and seldom were any mistakes made.

    Andy - also an Ex- Brit
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-07-08 11:47
    Very Interesting.

    Shillings / Pence Odd names, but probably quite explanable back in the
    day.
    And don't forget Quid (which is their slang for dollar -- Like BUCK).

    I have some old coins from relatives in Ireland and amongst them is a
    Farthing (1/2 pence?). Another mystery to what this evolved from
    (namewise).


    Original Message
    From: "Andy Reichert" <andy_r@i...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 10:51 PM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stone free....


    > Mike Sokol wrote:
    >
    > >A guy I work with in Maryland is British and gets big music speakers
    > >(concert cabinets) shipped from England, and he's always talking about
    this
    > >or that "weighing 20 stone or thereabout". So you may want to use the
    > >singular version of "stone" rather than the plural "stones" in
    conversation,
    > >but I'm not too sure of all the usage etiquette.
    > >
    > >We could also use fractional fathoms, I suppose.
    > >
    > >Bob's your Uncle....
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > Actually, Sam's your Uncle [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    >
    > In the pre-metric UK you use the singular for the weight. So four (or is
    > it five) Stones is an old a rock group [noparse]:)[/noparse]. In the UK, 1 Stone is
    > exactly 14 Lbs. And an Imperial ( UK) Pint is 20 (US) Fluid ounces.
    > But there are still 8 UK pints to an Imperial Gallon. Be carefull if
    > purchasing a UK car so that you understand what it's mpg really
    > means.The number is higher than it would be in the US.
    >
    > 8 Stone is 1 " hundredweight - cwt." or 112 Lbs. 20 Hundredweight is
    > an English Ton of 2240 Lbs. So there is a hierarchy if you care enough
    > to follow it. Most of the different measures arose from the practices of
    > the various "Guilds", who were the craft group forerunners of the
    > different sectors of the later industries. Naturally they came up with
    > schemes of units that closely fitted the materials they dealt with.
    > Carats for jewelry, Stones for dry goods, drams for spirits, pints and
    > gallons for consumable liquids. Not sure who came up with the Pounds,
    > Shillings and Pence for the currency.
    >
    > To go somewhat to topic, I remember trying to write complex assembler
    > sub routines to handle English accounting, I don't think any early
    > computer languages had UK weights and measures functions built in.
    > Although when living there, just about every body used to do the maths
    > in their heads and seldom were any mistakes made.
    >
    > Andy - also an Ex- Brit
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    > Yahoo! Groups Links
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-07-08 14:17
    Sorry this has gotten sooooooooooooooooo off topic, but that's what keep us
    thinking about new things.

    According to my British engineering buddy, Pence in England is called "P"
    for short, which gives the small children a big giggle every time they hear
    it. And last time I was in Canada I ended up with "toonies" and "loonies",
    two and three dollar coins, if memory serves.

    To get back on topic, I may get our resident Stamp programmer (my 13
    year old son, Alan), to come up with a stamp-based US to Brit to US
    converter just for fun. We're looking for a few interesting Stamp based
    projects for when he starts high school this year. I think a keypad and LCD
    display for his BOE could be the next step in the learning curve...

    Mike Sokol
    mike@f...

    Original Message
    From: "SB" <steve.brady@r...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2004 6:47 AM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stone free....


    > Very Interesting.
    >
    > Shillings / Pence Odd names, but probably quite explanable back in the
    > day.
    > And don't forget Quid (which is their slang for dollar -- Like BUCK).
    >
    > I have some old coins from relatives in Ireland and amongst them is a
    > Farthing (1/2 pence?). Another mystery to what this evolved from
    > (namewise).
    >
    >
    >
    Original Message
    > From: "Andy Reichert" <andy_r@i...>
    > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 10:51 PM
    > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stone free....
    >
    >
    > > Mike Sokol wrote:
    > >
    > > >A guy I work with in Maryland is British and gets big music speakers
    > > >(concert cabinets) shipped from England, and he's always talking about
    > this
    > > >or that "weighing 20 stone or thereabout". So you may want to use the
    > > >singular version of "stone" rather than the plural "stones" in
    > conversation,
    > > >but I'm not too sure of all the usage etiquette.
    > > >
    > > >We could also use fractional fathoms, I suppose.
    > > >
    > > >Bob's your Uncle....
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > Actually, Sam's your Uncle [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    > >
    > > In the pre-metric UK you use the singular for the weight. So four (or is
    > > it five) Stones is an old a rock group [noparse]:)[/noparse]. In the UK, 1 Stone is
    > > exactly 14 Lbs. And an Imperial ( UK) Pint is 20 (US) Fluid ounces.
    > > But there are still 8 UK pints to an Imperial Gallon. Be carefull if
    > > purchasing a UK car so that you understand what it's mpg really
    > > means.The number is higher than it would be in the US.
    > >
    > > 8 Stone is 1 " hundredweight - cwt." or 112 Lbs. 20 Hundredweight is
    > > an English Ton of 2240 Lbs. So there is a hierarchy if you care enough
    > > to follow it. Most of the different measures arose from the practices of
    > > the various "Guilds", who were the craft group forerunners of the
    > > different sectors of the later industries. Naturally they came up with
    > > schemes of units that closely fitted the materials they dealt with.
    > > Carats for jewelry, Stones for dry goods, drams for spirits, pints and
    > > gallons for consumable liquids. Not sure who came up with the Pounds,
    > > Shillings and Pence for the currency.
    > >
    > > To go somewhat to topic, I remember trying to write complex assembler
    > > sub routines to handle English accounting, I don't think any early
    > > computer languages had UK weights and measures functions built in.
    > > Although when living there, just about every body used to do the maths
    > > in their heads and seldom were any mistakes made.
    > >
    > > Andy - also an Ex- Brit
    > >
    > >
    > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    and
    > Body of the message will be ignored.
    > >
    > > Yahoo! Groups Links
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    > Yahoo! Groups Links
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-07-08 14:23
    The one dollar coins have a bird (the Loon) on the back of the coin
    hence the term loonie
    The two dollar coin has come to be know as the toonie (Two Loonies)

    The joke up here is to hold up a toonie (2 dollar coin) and ask the question

    "What does an American call this?" The answer is of course "A dollar".

    Original Message
    From: Mike Sokol [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=HGxXwb9AMBcpwMJhuuvc6n_v_C3pxkg6OBTj26YQjLgP4E-P-Kv4Lk1_GwP4dvAoW6eSKaj3ftr83H4eWNvnWQ]mike@f...[/url
    Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2004 9:18 AM
    To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stone free....


    Sorry this has gotten sooooooooooooooooo off topic, but that's what keep us
    thinking about new things.

    According to my British engineering buddy, Pence in England is called "P"
    for short, which gives the small children a big giggle every time they hear
    it. And last time I was in Canada I ended up with "toonies" and "loonies",
    two and three dollar coins, if memory serves.

    To get back on topic, I may get our resident Stamp programmer (my 13
    year old son, Alan), to come up with a stamp-based US to Brit to US
    converter just for fun. We're looking for a few interesting Stamp based
    projects for when he starts high school this year. I think a keypad and LCD
    display for his BOE could be the next step in the learning curve...

    Mike Sokol
    mike@f...

    Original Message
    From: "SB" <steve.brady@r...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2004 6:47 AM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stone free....


    > Very Interesting.
    >
    > Shillings / Pence Odd names, but probably quite explanable back in the
    > day.
    > And don't forget Quid (which is their slang for dollar -- Like BUCK).
    >
    > I have some old coins from relatives in Ireland and amongst them is a
    > Farthing (1/2 pence?). Another mystery to what this evolved from
    > (namewise).
    >
    >
    >
    Original Message
    > From: "Andy Reichert" <andy_r@i...>
    > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 10:51 PM
    > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stone free....
    >
    >
    > > Mike Sokol wrote:
    > >
    > > >A guy I work with in Maryland is British and gets big music speakers
    > > >(concert cabinets) shipped from England, and he's always talking about
    > this
    > > >or that "weighing 20 stone or thereabout". So you may want to use the
    > > >singular version of "stone" rather than the plural "stones" in
    > conversation,
    > > >but I'm not too sure of all the usage etiquette.
    > > >
    > > >We could also use fractional fathoms, I suppose.
    > > >
    > > >Bob's your Uncle....
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > Actually, Sam's your Uncle [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    > >
    > > In the pre-metric UK you use the singular for the weight. So four (or is
    > > it five) Stones is an old a rock group [noparse]:)[/noparse]. In the UK, 1 Stone is
    > > exactly 14 Lbs. And an Imperial ( UK) Pint is 20 (US) Fluid ounces.
    > > But there are still 8 UK pints to an Imperial Gallon. Be carefull if
    > > purchasing a UK car so that you understand what it's mpg really
    > > means.The number is higher than it would be in the US.
    > >
    > > 8 Stone is 1 " hundredweight - cwt." or 112 Lbs. 20 Hundredweight is
    > > an English Ton of 2240 Lbs. So there is a hierarchy if you care enough
    > > to follow it. Most of the different measures arose from the practices of
    > > the various "Guilds", who were the craft group forerunners of the
    > > different sectors of the later industries. Naturally they came up with
    > > schemes of units that closely fitted the materials they dealt with.
    > > Carats for jewelry, Stones for dry goods, drams for spirits, pints and
    > > gallons for consumable liquids. Not sure who came up with the Pounds,
    > > Shillings and Pence for the currency.
    > >
    > > To go somewhat to topic, I remember trying to write complex assembler
    > > sub routines to handle English accounting, I don't think any early
    > > computer languages had UK weights and measures functions built in.
    > > Although when living there, just about every body used to do the maths
    > > in their heads and seldom were any mistakes made.
    > >
    > > Andy - also an Ex- Brit
    > >
    > >
    > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject
    and
    > Body of the message will be ignored.
    > >
    > > Yahoo! Groups Links
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    > Yahoo! Groups Links
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >



    To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.

    Yahoo! Groups Links
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-07-08 15:11
    A loonie is a $1 coin in Canada.

    >
    Original Message
    > From: Mike Sokol [noparse]/noparse]mailto:[url=http://forums.parallaxinc.com/group/basicstamps/post?postID=brA38E8h8-PQyUaNrNmtN8iMysiUg7iqrW6zf46s_Je7ANcoqlgEFyzZydDefu1tJ7z_ruIcheNg1kw4CKFIFCM]mike@f...[/url
    > Sent: July 8, 2004 09:18
    > To: basicstamps@yahoogroups.com
    > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stone free....
    >
    > Sorry this has gotten sooooooooooooooooo off topic, but that's what keep
    > us
    > thinking about new things.
    >
    > According to my British engineering buddy, Pence in England is called "P"
    > for short, which gives the small children a big giggle every time they
    > hear
    > it. And last time I was in Canada I ended up with "toonies" and "loonies",
    > two and three dollar coins, if memory serves.
    >
    > To get back on topic, I may get our resident Stamp programmer (my 13
    > year old son, Alan), to come up with a stamp-based US to Brit to US
    > converter just for fun. We're looking for a few interesting Stamp based
    > projects for when he starts high school this year. I think a keypad and
    > LCD
    > display for his BOE could be the next step in the learning curve...
    >
    > Mike Sokol
    > mike@f...
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-07-08 15:28
    A loonie is a 1 dollar coin with a loon on it and the
    the toonie is the two dollar coin. No such thing yet
    as a three dollar coin. <grin>


    --- Mike Sokol <mike@f...> wrote:
    > Sorry this has gotten sooooooooooooooooo off topic,
    > but that's what keep us
    > thinking about new things.
    >
    > According to my British engineering buddy, Pence in
    > England is called "P"
    > for short, which gives the small children a big
    > giggle every time they hear
    > it. And last time I was in Canada I ended up with
    > "toonies" and "loonies",
    > two and three dollar coins, if memory serves.
    >
    > To get back on topic, I may get our resident Stamp
    > programmer (my 13
    > year old son, Alan), to come up with a stamp-based
    > US to Brit to US
    > converter just for fun. We're looking for a few
    > interesting Stamp based
    > projects for when he starts high school this year. I
    > think a keypad and LCD
    > display for his BOE could be the next step in the
    > learning curve...
    >
    > Mike Sokol
    > mike@f...
    >
    >
    Original Message
    > From: "SB" <steve.brady@r...>
    > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2004 6:47 AM
    > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stone free....
    >
    >
    > > Very Interesting.
    > >
    > > Shillings / Pence Odd names, but probably quite
    > explanable back in the
    > > day.
    > > And don't forget Quid (which is their slang for
    > dollar -- Like BUCK).
    > >
    > > I have some old coins from relatives in Ireland
    > and amongst them is a
    > > Farthing (1/2 pence?). Another mystery to what
    > this evolved from
    > > (namewise).
    > >
    > >
    > >
    Original Message
    > > From: "Andy Reichert" <andy_r@i...>
    > > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > > Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 10:51 PM
    > > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stone free....
    > >
    > >
    > > > Mike Sokol wrote:
    > > >
    > > > >A guy I work with in Maryland is British and
    > gets big music speakers
    > > > >(concert cabinets) shipped from England, and
    > he's always talking about
    > > this
    > > > >or that "weighing 20 stone or thereabout". So
    > you may want to use the
    > > > >singular version of "stone" rather than the
    > plural "stones" in
    > > conversation,
    > > > >but I'm not too sure of all the usage
    > etiquette.
    > > > >
    > > > >We could also use fractional fathoms, I
    > suppose.
    > > > >
    > > > >Bob's your Uncle....
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > Actually, Sam's your Uncle [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    > > >
    > > > In the pre-metric UK you use the singular for
    > the weight. So four (or is
    > > > it five) Stones is an old a rock group [noparse]:)[/noparse]. In
    > the UK, 1 Stone is
    > > > exactly 14 Lbs. And an Imperial ( UK) Pint is
    > 20 (US) Fluid ounces.
    > > > But there are still 8 UK pints to an Imperial
    > Gallon. Be carefull if
    > > > purchasing a UK car so that you understand what
    > it's mpg really
    > > > means.The number is higher than it would be in
    > the US.
    > > >
    > > > 8 Stone is 1 " hundredweight - cwt." or 112
    > Lbs. 20 Hundredweight is
    > > > an English Ton of 2240 Lbs. So there is a
    > hierarchy if you care enough
    > > > to follow it. Most of the different measures
    > arose from the practices of
    > > > the various "Guilds", who were the craft group
    > forerunners of the
    > > > different sectors of the later industries.
    > Naturally they came up with
    > > > schemes of units that closely fitted the
    > materials they dealt with.
    > > > Carats for jewelry, Stones for dry goods, drams
    > for spirits, pints and
    > > > gallons for consumable liquids. Not sure who
    > came up with the Pounds,
    > > > Shillings and Pence for the currency.
    > > >
    > > > To go somewhat to topic, I remember trying to
    > write complex assembler
    > > > sub routines to handle English accounting, I
    > don't think any early
    > > > computer languages had UK weights and measures
    > functions built in.
    > > > Although when living there, just about every
    > body used to do the maths
    > > > in their heads and seldom were any mistakes
    > made.
    > > >
    > > > Andy - also an Ex- Brit
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > > from the same email address that you subscribed.
    > Text in the Subject
    > and
    > > Body of the message will be ignored.
    > > >
    > > > Yahoo! Groups Links
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > from the same email address that you subscribed.
    > Text in the Subject and
    > Body of the message will be ignored.
    > >
    > > Yahoo! Groups Links
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed.
    > Text in the Subject and Body of the message will be
    > ignored.
    >
    > Yahoo! Groups Links
    >
    >
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    >
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-07-08 15:59
    Hey,

    Those Canadians don't cut us any slack, do they..... but yes, I always got a
    laugh from my seminar audience when I noted a piece of audio gear listed for
    $1,000 US and got my calculator out for the Canadian dollar conversion.

    Back on-topic. What do you all think would be the most straightforward
    keypad and LCD add-on's to a BOE for my 13-year old to learn how to program.
    Plus, I don't want to strain my own brain more than necessary for this type
    of learning project.

    Mike Sokol
    mike@f...

    Original Message
    From: "Eric" <khufumen@y...>
    To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2004 10:28 AM
    Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stone free....


    > A loonie is a 1 dollar coin with a loon on it and the
    > the toonie is the two dollar coin. No such thing yet
    > as a three dollar coin. <grin>
    >
    >
    > --- Mike Sokol <mike@f...> wrote:
    > > Sorry this has gotten sooooooooooooooooo off topic,
    > > but that's what keep us
    > > thinking about new things.
    > >
    > > According to my British engineering buddy, Pence in
    > > England is called "P"
    > > for short, which gives the small children a big
    > > giggle every time they hear
    > > it. And last time I was in Canada I ended up with
    > > "toonies" and "loonies",
    > > two and three dollar coins, if memory serves.
    > >
    > > To get back on topic, I may get our resident Stamp
    > > programmer (my 13
    > > year old son, Alan), to come up with a stamp-based
    > > US to Brit to US
    > > converter just for fun. We're looking for a few
    > > interesting Stamp based
    > > projects for when he starts high school this year. I
    > > think a keypad and LCD
    > > display for his BOE could be the next step in the
    > > learning curve...
    > >
    > > Mike Sokol
    > > mike@f...
    > >
    > >
    Original Message
    > > From: "SB" <steve.brady@r...>
    > > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > > Sent: Thursday, July 08, 2004 6:47 AM
    > > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stone free....
    > >
    > >
    > > > Very Interesting.
    > > >
    > > > Shillings / Pence Odd names, but probably quite
    > > explanable back in the
    > > > day.
    > > > And don't forget Quid (which is their slang for
    > > dollar -- Like BUCK).
    > > >
    > > > I have some old coins from relatives in Ireland
    > > and amongst them is a
    > > > Farthing (1/2 pence?). Another mystery to what
    > > this evolved from
    > > > (namewise).
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    Original Message
    > > > From: "Andy Reichert" <andy_r@i...>
    > > > To: <basicstamps@yahoogroups.com>
    > > > Sent: Wednesday, July 07, 2004 10:51 PM
    > > > Subject: Re: [noparse][[/noparse]basicstamps] Stone free....
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > > Mike Sokol wrote:
    > > > >
    > > > > >A guy I work with in Maryland is British and
    > > gets big music speakers
    > > > > >(concert cabinets) shipped from England, and
    > > he's always talking about
    > > > this
    > > > > >or that "weighing 20 stone or thereabout". So
    > > you may want to use the
    > > > > >singular version of "stone" rather than the
    > > plural "stones" in
    > > > conversation,
    > > > > >but I'm not too sure of all the usage
    > > etiquette.
    > > > > >
    > > > > >We could also use fractional fathoms, I
    > > suppose.
    > > > > >
    > > > > >Bob's your Uncle....
    > > > > >
    > > > > >
    > > > > >
    > > > > Actually, Sam's your Uncle [noparse]:)[/noparse]
    > > > >
    > > > > In the pre-metric UK you use the singular for
    > > the weight. So four (or is
    > > > > it five) Stones is an old a rock group [noparse]:)[/noparse]. In
    > > the UK, 1 Stone is
    > > > > exactly 14 Lbs. And an Imperial ( UK) Pint is
    > > 20 (US) Fluid ounces.
    > > > > But there are still 8 UK pints to an Imperial
    > > Gallon. Be carefull if
    > > > > purchasing a UK car so that you understand what
    > > it's mpg really
    > > > > means.The number is higher than it would be in
    > > the US.
    > > > >
    > > > > 8 Stone is 1 " hundredweight - cwt." or 112
    > > Lbs. 20 Hundredweight is
    > > > > an English Ton of 2240 Lbs. So there is a
    > > hierarchy if you care enough
    > > > > to follow it. Most of the different measures
    > > arose from the practices of
    > > > > the various "Guilds", who were the craft group
    > > forerunners of the
    > > > > different sectors of the later industries.
    > > Naturally they came up with
    > > > > schemes of units that closely fitted the
    > > materials they dealt with.
    > > > > Carats for jewelry, Stones for dry goods, drams
    > > for spirits, pints and
    > > > > gallons for consumable liquids. Not sure who
    > > came up with the Pounds,
    > > > > Shillings and Pence for the currency.
    > > > >
    > > > > To go somewhat to topic, I remember trying to
    > > write complex assembler
    > > > > sub routines to handle English accounting, I
    > > don't think any early
    > > > > computer languages had UK weights and measures
    > > functions built in.
    > > > > Although when living there, just about every
    > > body used to do the maths
    > > > > in their heads and seldom were any mistakes
    > > made.
    > > > >
    > > > > Andy - also an Ex- Brit
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > > > from the same email address that you subscribed.
    > > Text in the Subject
    > > and
    > > > Body of the message will be ignored.
    > > > >
    > > > > Yahoo! Groups Links
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > > from the same email address that you subscribed.
    > > Text in the Subject and
    > > Body of the message will be ignored.
    > > >
    > > > Yahoo! Groups Links
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > > from the same email address that you subscribed.
    > > Text in the Subject and Body of the message will be
    > > ignored.
    > >
    > > Yahoo! Groups Links
    > >
    > >
    > > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > >
    > >
    > >
    > >
    >
    >
    >
    > To UNSUBSCRIBE, just send mail to:
    > basicstamps-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
    > from the same email address that you subscribed. Text in the Subject and
    Body of the message will be ignored.
    >
    > Yahoo! Groups Links
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-07-08 22:41
    >According to my British engineering buddy, Pence in England is called "P"
    for short, which gives the small children a big giggle every time they hear
    it.<

    There is a reason for this, When we went from the obvious and obviously
    correct Non decimal system of money with it's simple and common sense
    arrangemant of ..

    21 Shillings to the Guinea
    20 Shillings to the Pound
    5 Shillings to the Crown (also known as the Dollar)
    12 Pence to the Shilling
    2 Ha'pennies to the penny
    4 Fathings to the penny

    To the Hideous and frankly against nature arrangement of ..

    100 pence to the pound.

    There had to be some distinction between the OLD penny and the new penny so
    the new penny became a P (the old penny remained the D (standing for denaris
    (SP) a hangover from the Romans))

    Justin
  • ArchiverArchiver Posts: 46,084
    edited 2004-07-13 07:11
    Hi all,

    A Quid is a pound, not a dollar. A Farthing is a "fourthing", a quarter
    of a penny. A Groat was a fourpenny coin, long since disappeared from
    use.

    240 was a good number of divisions for our old pound; it has more
    factors than any smaller number. Try doing a third, a sixth or an eighth
    of a decimal pound (or Euro, or Dollar...)

    John

    In message <001801c464d8$ea4e4c90$df52c545@o...>, SB
    <steve.brady@r...> writes
    >Very Interesting.
    >
    >Shillings / Pence Odd names, but probably quite explanable back in the
    >day.
    >And don't forget Quid (which is their slang for dollar -- Like BUCK).
    >
    >I have some old coins from relatives in Ireland and amongst them is a
    >Farthing (1/2 pence?). Another mystery to what this evolved from
    >(namewise).
    >

    --
    John Fletcher
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