why pre-decimal

ausjack · August 13, 2014, 04:52:42 AM

Ok I was wondering if anyone knows why they use the term pre-decimal where all our other units of old measurements are call imperial so why didn't coins get imperial, old inch and feet, gallons etc are referred to as imperial so just find it funny that the unit for currency is different :angel:

trout · August 13, 2014, 05:39:55 AM

Because when our Decimal currency was introduced that's what they called it.
When the new measuring system was introduced it was known as the Metric system.

ausjack · August 13, 2014, 06:16:03 AM

why not imperial, doesn't that sound good, you'd get use to it :winkextra: I like the word imperial, it's a strong sounding word and sound powerful as in the emperor troutoffski sounds like a ruler we could all follow, or would you prefer tsar, king or your holiness :angel:

Coiny Chris · August 13, 2014, 06:21:57 AM

Hello,

IMO Metric is for measurements, and because Coins had 10 as the common multiplier as opposed to 12 it was a reminder for old " Fossil's " that we now use multiples of 10.

ausjack · August 13, 2014, 07:13:45 AM

:laugh2: who's an old fossil, I'm a spring chicken, young buck or mere pup :winkextra: But yes I see where your coming from thank Chris :good: It has been fun working with people that only use metric and some still use imperial and find I use both but probably imperial more so being as you so kindly put it, old "fossil" :angel:

interest · August 13, 2014, 10:59:45 AM

Quote from: 'trout' pid='56864' dateline='1407874195'Because when our Decimal currency was introduced that's what they called it.
When the new measuring system was introduced it was known as the Metric system.

Decimal currency was in Feb 66, but the metric system took a lot longer, if memory severs me, I think it was sometime in the mid 80's that everything pretty much had to be changed from Imperial to Metric.
But I do not remember a particular date, unlike coins, "that from now on we only use the decimal system"
Whilst working at Bunnings you find people still talking in inches & feet.
Especially in timber, "you got any 4 be 2 mate, about 6 feet long?"

keldaw · August 13, 2014, 11:18:45 AM

that was me you are talking about [ interest ]

that is just how I ask for things like timber and sheets of ply ..

Goldseeker · August 13, 2014, 11:35:26 AM

I have to agree that the "decimal" coins was easy as pie to understand but the old "imperial" measurement I still use when I go down to Bunnings etc for timber.

Sorry, I just can't handle decimal measurements for timber.

nealeffendi · August 13, 2014, 11:53:10 AM

Quote from: 'interest' pid='56876' dateline='1407893385'
Quote from: 'trout' pid='56864' dateline='1407874195'Because when our Decimal currency was introduced that's what they called it.
When the new measuring system was introduced it was known as the Metric system.

Decimal currency was in Feb 66, but the metric system took a lot longer, if memory severs me, I think it was sometime in the mid 80's that everything pretty much had to be changed from Imperial to Metric.
But I do not remember a particular date, unlike coins, "that from now on we only use the decimal system"
Whilst working at Bunnings you find people still talking in inches & feet.
Especially in timber, "you got any 4 be 2 mate, about 6 feet long?"

It was 1972-73 that SI (System Internationale) was introduced. "Had" is the right term as the State mandated it and it became compulsory to use specific metric measurements on documents (like building approvals).
I use imperial measurements.
When uneducated people demand that I use metric measurements because they can't understand imperial measurements then I give it to them in Arabic as I can think metric measurements in Arabic but not in English, when they ask me to translate then my brain automatically converts the Arabic metric to English imperial.

JeffH · August 13, 2014, 12:00:19 PM

We changed to decimal currency while I was still in the final years of school. Metric conversion followed soon after while I was at university -but the engineering course I studied was already fully metric units.
Interesting thing; many of our textbooks were American and purely metric (SI) units. So, contrary to popular belief, the USA is not completely holding onto imperial units (including their gallon which is not an imperial gallon -1 imperial gallon is 1.2 US gallons). Hence a "fifth" (standard bottle) of spirits -5 per US gallon and 6 per imperial gallon.

So, I am comfortable with either of the alternative systems of units and can mentally convert most common [and a few uncommon] measurements.

interest · August 13, 2014, 12:29:32 PM

Quote from: 'keldaw' pid='56877' dateline='1407894525'that was me you are talking about [ interest ]

that is just how I ask for things like timber and sheets of ply ..

A HA!! youre the guy.!!!

I do different shifts in the tool shop & also the hardware section,
The tool shop has S.A.E & metric spanners & drill bits, it is confusing for a lot of people to be asked wether they want SAE or metric.
Same with bolts & nuts,," just want a nut to go on a bolt mate." Right!.
But also have some fun with it, depending on the person.

ausjack · August 13, 2014, 01:08:52 PM

Plumbing still use a lot as well, 1/2" and 3/4" copper and 1 1/2" and 2" pipe etc. So interest, tell me do you ever asked for left handed screwdrivers or stripped paint or any of the other handy things muppets get sent out for..always loved the stripped paint. But you could have fun with some as mum gets confused if I convert metric, yes mum 100mm = 10cm = 4" but as long as you remember 100mph is 160km or there abouts. So how tall are people I have always been 6' easier than 183cm or 1.83m or 1830mm or there about might be a .5 in there. I think willies might still be talked about in inches but who knows!

And some useless trivia for the young that don't already know but the symbols for inch is " after the number and for a foot it's ' and you still see it used around.

Unicorn · August 13, 2014, 02:35:08 PM

Best duck down and get a few cubits of gopher wood!

ausjack · August 13, 2014, 03:02:19 PM

I'll give ya a 2 shekels for a bushel and 2 pecks if you like.

so when and why are you gonna build an ark.

keldaw · August 13, 2014, 03:33:48 PM

Quote from: 'interest' pid='56887' dateline='1407898772'
Quote from: 'keldaw' pid='56877' dateline='1407894525'that was me you are talking about [ interest ]

that is just how I ask for things like timber and sheets of ply ..
A HA!! youre the guy.!!!

I do different shifts in the tool shop & also the hardware section,
The tool shop has S.A.E & metric spanners & drill bits, it is confusing for a lot of people to be asked wether they want SAE or metric.
Same with bolts & nuts,," just want a nut to go on a bolt mate." Right!.
But also have some fun with it, depending on the person.

with spanners I think it was SAE OR WHITWORTH sizes , please correct me if I am wrong ..