It's often cited (by pro-metrics) that imperial will "die out" IN THE UK as a result of generations "learning out" the use of imperial.

Now lets look at the facts.

How many generations have gone by? Why hasn't this "really" happened?

What about when I was at school and they more-or-less banned imperial from the classroom only to have it re-introduced in the 90's? What happened to us lot "in the middle"?

May I suggest a different theory?

My theory is that its a maturing thing rather than an evolutionary thing.

Let me explain (based on a "current scenario")

at ages 0 to 5 I suspect that no-one really actively understands the ins-and-outs of measurements.

at ages 5 to 10 we get the basic stuff taught at school - we learn metric first and imperial second, although we hear imperial a lot at home.

at ages 10 to 15 we've learned the basic stuff and although imperial is covered, our main education is metric. We are learning more about imperial from out-of-school talk (TV, parents etc etc) but our main sports and schooling is nevertheless metric

at ages 15 to 20 we're pretty much au fait with both systems but we tend to apply metric to the problems we encounter during our education, which may extend to hobbies out of school (if there's compatibility).

at ages 20 to 25 "real life" tends to take over a bit, most are no-longer learning about things that involve the concept of "measuring" so metric starts to appear more scientific.

at ages 25 to 35 We're really using the measurment "of the street" (imperial) although we do not have an issue with metric, we can work with either - but most of us would more likely use imperial in examples and application than metric.

This maturity continues to middle - then old age and our peer group and language dictates what measures we use. We don't "de-learn" metric, it just becomes less relevant


What do people think? (except eric)

I have to say Steve, that I think that is generally a rather decent summary. Although I still believe in say 30 years time, you will be hearing pensioners talking in metric a lot more, e.g. at the deli in a supermarket as prices are displayed only in kilos/100g.

"Although I still believe in say 30 years time....."

What's to say that whhhaaaaayyyy before that things change?

You can't predict that we'll be in the EU in 30yrs

In fact you can't predict if we even exist, if the likes of Abu Hamza finally get their way.

re (Richard): "Although I still believe in say 30 years time, you will be hearing pensioners talking in metric a lot more..."

REPLY: Of course, this is a real possibility, even likelihood on present trends. But the point is that this will only be achieved by compulsion. First, threatening people with fines and even imprisonment for using their native measurements, then banning native weights and measures altogether in shops (only 2,093 days to go to this momentous day, when the metricators will no doubt be letting off fireworks to celebrate their 'achievement').

No nation or group of people would want to abandon its familiar system of weights and meaures; it's only ever been done by compulsion. In one hundred years of metric being just as legal as Imperial, virtually nobody bothered to use metric. Then came the European Union and its directives.

If the metricists succeed and continue their programme of compulsion and obliteration, SteveH, your version of Shakespeare's 'Seven Ages of Man' will look very different

<<< You can't predict that we'll be in the EU in 30yrs >>>

If not then we'll probably go metric without a fuss.

<<<your version of Shakespeare's 'Seven Ages of Man' will look very different>>>

Heavens, I didn't even realise I did that! (I don't know much about shakespeare)

SHAKESPEARE'S 'SEVEN AGES OF MAN':

All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players,
They have their exits and entrances,
And one man in his time plays many parts,
His acts being seven ages. At first the infant,
Mewling and puking in the nurse's arms.
Then, the whiling schoolboy with his satchel
And shining morning face, creeping like snail
Unwillingly to school. And then the lover,
Sighing like furnace, with a woeful ballad
Madew to his mistress' eyebrow. Then a soldier,
Full of strange oaths, and bearded like the pard,
Jealous in honour, sudden, and quick in quarrel,
Seeking the bubble reputation
Even in the cannon's mouth. And then, the justice
In fair round belly, with good capon lin'd,
With eyes severe, and beard of formal cut,
Full of wise saws, and modern instances,
And so he plays his part. The sixth age shifts
Into the lean and slipper'd pantaloon,
With spectacles on nose, and pouch on side,
His youthful hose well sav'd, a world too wide,
Fir his shrunk shank, and his big manly voice,
Turning again towards childish treble, pipes
And whistles in his sound. Last scene of all,
That ends this strange eventful history,
Is second childishness and mere oblivion,
Sans teeth, sans eyes, sans taste, sans everything.


OR, as Steve Humphreys prefers it, and I quote, "it's a maturing thing..."