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General discussion

Weights & Measures...

Dec 13, 2003 5:12AM PST

Here in the United States, we use the English system of weights and measures. We use it even though the English have converted to the Metric system, like much of the rest of the world. Here are some conversion factors to help my fellow Americans.
Useful English System conversions/units:

Ratio of an igloo's circumference to its diameter: Eskimo Pi

2.4 statute miles of intravenous surgical tubing at Yale University Hospital: 1 I.V. League

2000 pounds of Chinese soup: Won ton

1 millionth mouthwash: 1 microscope

Speed of a tortoise breaking the sound barrier: Mach Turtle

Time it takes to sail 220 yards at 1 nautical mile per hour: Knot furlong

365.25 days of drinking low calorie beer because it's less filling: 1 lite year

16.5 feet in the Twilight Zone: 1 Rod Sterling

Half of a large intestine: 1 semicolon

1000 aches: 1 megahurtz

Weight an evangelist carries with God: 1 billigram

Basic unit of laryngitis: 1 hoarsepower

Shortest distance between two jokes: A straight line

Time between slipping on a peel and smacking the pavement: bananosecond

A Half-Bath: 1 demijohn

Given the old adage "a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step," the first step of a one-mile journey: 1 Milwaukee

1 kilogram of falling figs: 1 Fig Newton

1000 grams of wet socks: 1 literhosen

1 millionth of a fish: 1 microfiche

10 monologs: 5 dialogs

2 monograms: 1 diagram

2 wharves: 1 paradox

100 Senators: Not 1 decision

Discussion is locked

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(NT) Cute, but I thought a league was about 3.5 miles?
Dec 13, 2003 5:33AM PST

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But Doc.......
Dec 13, 2003 10:58AM PST

League:

"A measure of length or distance, varying in different countries from about 2.4 to 4.6 English statute miles of 5.280 feet each, and used (as a land measure) chiefly on the continent of Europe, and in the Spanish parts of America. The marine league of England and the United States is equal to three marine, or geographical, miles of 6080 feet each. Note: The English land league is equal to three English statute miles. The Spanish and French leagues vary in each country according to usage and the kind of measurement to which they are applied. The Dutch and German leagues contain about four geographical miles, or about 4.6 English statute miles.
http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/league

However, you are mostly right as we are taught in school:
League:
"A unit of distance equal to 3.0 statute miles (4.8 kilometers). b. Any of various other units of about the same length."

Websters 1928 Dictionary:
"The distance between two stones. With the English and Americans, a league is the length of three miles; but this measure is chiefly at sea. The league on the continent of Europe, is very different among different nations."

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(NT) Interesting. I'd only seen the US/UK marine useage before.
Dec 13, 2003 11:14AM PST

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Sheesh, take something simple you learn at school, read
Dec 13, 2003 2:16PM PST

regularly in books, and never question: a league is three miles,

let Speakeasy get near it,

never know what anyone is talking about again. {sob}

Happy

Thanks JR. Good Grief.

Ian

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I thought this post was going to be dull! ROTFLOL
Dec 13, 2003 7:08AM PST

I'm sending this one one.

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The last one is too true to be funny. ;-) --NT
Dec 13, 2003 7:15AM PST

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(NT) Aaarrrgh! . . . LOL. . . :-)
Dec 13, 2003 8:02AM PST

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Re: Weights & Measures...
Dec 13, 2003 1:21PM PST

1000 aches: 1 kilohurtz
1000000 aches: 1 megahurtz

ROFL Happy

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nt 1000 Kilo of Supreme Court laundry=1 Washington?
Dec 14, 2003 12:15AM PST

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(NT) Good un Jonah! And funny post JR :-)
Dec 14, 2003 12:19AM PST

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nt 1000 Kilo of Supreme Court laundry=1 Washington?
Dec 14, 2003 12:24AM PST

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