• merc@sh.itjust.works
    70·
    1 year ago

    Saturday Night Live actually had a good sketch about this a few weeks ago:

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYqfVE-fykk

    Washington: "We fight for a nation where we choose our own laws… choose our own leaders… and choose our own systems of weights and measures.

    I dream that one day, our proud nation will measure weights in pounds, and that 2000 pounds shall be called a ton."

    Rebel: “And what will 1000 pounds be called sir?”

    Washington: “Nothing. Cause will have no word for that.”

    …

    Washington: “Distance will be measured in inches, feet, yards and miles. 12 inches to a foot!”

    Rebel: “12 feet to a yard…”

    Washington: “If only it were so simple. 3 feet to a yard.”

    Rebel: “And how many yards to a mile?”

    Washington: “Nobody knows.”

    Rebel: “Ok, how many feet to a mile?”

    Washington: “5280, of course! It’s a simple number that everyone will remember.”