The term centigrade was an anomaly -- named for that portion of its scale between the freezing point and boiling point of water. As Anders Celsius originated that scale, it was though more appropriate to use his name. After all, the competing (and obsolete) scale is named after its inventor, Daniel Fahrenheit.
Fahrenheit's scale is also, of course, based on a 100-unit interval (from the freezing point of a saturated saline solution to alleged body temperature). Incidentally, the term "degree centigrade" has been obsolete for far more than ten years. It was replaced by "degree Celsius" by the 9th CGPM, in 1948. There was a third term, "centisimal degree," which also disappeared at that time. Bill Potts, CMS Roseville, CA http://metric1.org [SI Navigator] -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Stephen Davis Sent: Thursday, February 28, 2002 11:01 To: U.S. Metric Association Subject: [USMA:18451] Whatever happened to centigrade?? I would be interested to know if anyone knows why Centigrade was replaced by Celsius!! I always remember weather forecasts giving the dual temperatures of Centigrade and Fahrenheit!! Over the last ten years or so, though, it seems to have disappeared off the face of the Earth!! Does anyone out there know why?? Regards, Steve. [EMAIL PROTECTED]
