On Thu, 9 Mar 2017 17:16:09 -0600, Bill Woodger wrote:

>Four-and-twenty is not poetic, it is archaic, with continuing regional use in 
>the UK. Although probably originally more thorough, I've only heard it used 
>with 20. I grew up with five-and-20-past and five-and-20-to for the time. I 
>didn't pick it up myself. Also for non-time things, but only with 20.
>
>What's the French for 83? Four-twenties-three. What if the 360 had been 
>developed in Toulon, or Lincolnshire (the real one)?
> 
Google says, for:
    eighty-three
    three hundred sixty

    quatre vingt trois
    Trois cent soixante
Capitalization?

and KJV:
    his [the beast's] number is Six hundred threescore and six
Capitalization?

And a long cwt is eight stone.

Other powerful arguments for metrication:
    
http://www.denverpost.com/2017/03/08/error-shows-colorado-drivers-licenses-taller/
("Sir, please do *not* step out of the vehicle!")
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mars_Climate_Orbiter#Cause_of_failure
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gimli_Glider#Refueling

-- gil

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