Understanding Weights and Measures in the United Kingdom: Stone vs Kilogram
When it comes to weights and measures in the United Kingdom, a common confusion revolves around how to describe items that weigh more than 14 pounds (6.35 kilograms). For instance, if something weighs 15 pounds, should we state it as '15 pounds' or '1 stone 1 pound'? This article will delve into the intricacies of using different units of weight and provide clarity on the most appropriate and commonly used measures.
The Stone: An Historical Measure of Weight
The stone is a legacy unit of weight that is primarily used to measure human body weights, such as '12 stone 10 pounds', but it is gradually being replaced by the metric system. Interestingly, the stone is not used for packages or other items that need to be weighed for shipping or other purposes. The metric system, with its kilogram as the standard unit of mass and weight, has taken precedence in modern times.
Preference and Conventions
I have never used either stone or pounds for describing the weight of packaged goods. The kilogram is the universally accepted unit of mass and weight, following the efforts of scientists and policymakers to provide a universal standard. When asked about my weight in stones, I jokingly respond that I am '1 boulder 2 stones and around 4 pebbles', while reminding people that the Stone Age ended over 4000 years ago, and it might be time to move on to modern measures.
Current Practices in Weighing Packages
Most parcels are weighed, described, and handled in metric units, which is the standard for the Post-Office and courier services. Even though stone and pounds are still used by older generations when describing human weights, they are not the norm for packaged goods. Shorter distances are frequently measured in meters rather than yards or feet, and centimeters are used instead of inches, although the latter may still be used in specific contexts for ease of understanding.
Code Switching Between Metric and Imperial
Metric and imperial measures are not mutually exclusive in the UK. Most British people can easily code switch between the two systems, knowing that 1 pound is approximately half a kilogram and a kilogram is about 2.2 pounds. This ability to switch is particularly useful for understanding labels on products. With beverages, beer and cider are usually sold by the pint while wine and spirits are measured in milliliters. Soft drinks are generally metric, with cans labeled as a third of a liter and bottles usually marked as 1 or 2 liters.
The Metric Movement and Cultural Resistance
In the 1970s and 1990s, the UK experienced a group of individuals who staunchly advocated for the metric system, often dubbed the 'Metric Martyrs'. While their efforts were met with resistance, they played a crucial role in raising awareness about the importance of a single, standardized system. The movement for metrication began with John Wilkins, an English clergyman and polymath, in his paper 'An Essay towards a Real Character and a Philosophical Language' in 1668. Wilkins envisioned a universal language and a decimal system that would simplify scientific communication across the continent. Later, British inventor and scientist James Watt contributed to the development of the metric system, advocating for a decimal-based scale of measurement that could be adopted across Europe.
The metric system's advantages, such as ease of conversion and universal applicability, stem from the fact that it is a decimal system. Unlike the imperial system, which is based on arbitrary and non-decimal units (such as 12 inches in a foot or 3 feet in a yard), the metric system provides a more logical and systematic approach to measurement, making it easier to understand and use both for everyday and scientific purposes.