Imperial units.... or metric....?
It was the time the transition from 'British to Metric' system was being implemented. The conversion from 'pound' to 'kilogram', 'gallon' to 'liter', 'mile' to 'kilometer' was not easy, to say the least... The current system of currency and coins (decimalized) was also introduced that time (1957). Earlier it was all 'anna' and 'paisa'. Sixteen annas make one rupee and each anna comprises of 4 paisa. A 1/4 anna coin (1 paisa) was very much in use, which was 1/64th of a rupee. That could buy something substantial!
Though most of the measures are mentioned in 'metric' system now, still we see the common usage of British units in some areas. The construction drawings might show the distances in meters but in the brackets you would see the distance written in 'feet'. Even now most of the construction field staff can easily visualize the distance in feet only. For them, that comes naturally.
The shipping containers the world over are still known as 20 feet container (the length being 20 feet) and 40 feet container (the length being 40 feet). Why is it so? I really do not know.
The distance in sea travel is usually measured in 'nautical miles' rather than in miles or kilometers. There is no measurement called 'nautical kilometer'. The nautical mile is defined using the circumference of the earth at its equator. The length of nautical mile is approximately 1.15 standard mile.
The same way in mentioning the capacity of 'air-conditioner' the commonly used term is 'so many tons' capacity. Again, 1 ton capacity means 12,000 BTU (British Thermal Units). Most of us will not know the equivalent in metric terms.
Any goal or laurel achieved is referred to as 'milestone' and not as 'kilometerstone'!
Even today the expression 'pound of flesh' refers to an attitude of revenge. Though it is legally binding, it is cruel and inhuman. This comes from Shakespeare's famous drama 'The Merchant of Venice', wherein the principal antagonist Shylock (the unscrupulous, revengeful money-lender) inhumanly demands 'a pound of flesh' in the event of default of his loan repayment by Antonio. Though we are in 'metric era' the expression 'pound of flesh' finds common usage even today.
Horse racing (flat) is measured in furlongs and miles. Marathon race - everyone is aware of it as a long distance race, covering a distance of 26 miles and 385 yards. Till today, the distance is the same throughout the world. This was the distance ran by the Greek soldier, from the battle of Marathon to Athens to report the victory.
Though most of the measures are mentioned in 'metric' system now, still we see the common usage of British units in some areas. The construction drawings might show the distances in meters but in the brackets you would see the distance written in 'feet'. Even now most of the construction field staff can easily visualize the distance in feet only. For them, that comes naturally.
The shipping containers the world over are still known as 20 feet container (the length being 20 feet) and 40 feet container (the length being 40 feet). Why is it so? I really do not know.
The distance in sea travel is usually measured in 'nautical miles' rather than in miles or kilometers. There is no measurement called 'nautical kilometer'. The nautical mile is defined using the circumference of the earth at its equator. The length of nautical mile is approximately 1.15 standard mile.
The same way in mentioning the capacity of 'air-conditioner' the commonly used term is 'so many tons' capacity. Again, 1 ton capacity means 12,000 BTU (British Thermal Units). Most of us will not know the equivalent in metric terms.
Any goal or laurel achieved is referred to as 'milestone' and not as 'kilometerstone'!
Even today the expression 'pound of flesh' refers to an attitude of revenge. Though it is legally binding, it is cruel and inhuman. This comes from Shakespeare's famous drama 'The Merchant of Venice', wherein the principal antagonist Shylock (the unscrupulous, revengeful money-lender) inhumanly demands 'a pound of flesh' in the event of default of his loan repayment by Antonio. Though we are in 'metric era' the expression 'pound of flesh' finds common usage even today.
Horse racing (flat) is measured in furlongs and miles. Marathon race - everyone is aware of it as a long distance race, covering a distance of 26 miles and 385 yards. Till today, the distance is the same throughout the world. This was the distance ran by the Greek soldier, from the battle of Marathon to Athens to report the victory.
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