Metrification
Converting to the metric system
Example
Sure, metrification will cost a lot of money and likely take forever. But at least our system of measurement will finally make sense!
Related Slang
yds | Yards |
FPS | Frames per second |
mbps | Megabits per second |
MIPS | Millions of Instructions Per Second |
WPM | Words per minute |
APM | Actions per minute |
p/d | Per day |
p/w | Per week |
bb/100 | Big bets per 100 hands |
When a country is undergoing metrification, it is in the process of converting its previous system(s) of measurement to the metric system. In the 1790s, France became the first country to metrify. Most other countries have since followed suit, though some holdouts remain.
Who are the major holdouts against metrification?
The British, who have historically used British imperial measurements, continue to resist metrification, though they use metric measurements for most business and trade transactions. The United States has also held off on converting to the metric system, preferring to use a system known as US customary units.
This has left Canada, which has ties to both the United Kingdom and the United States, in an awkward position. As such, Canada's metrification efforts stalled in 1985, leaving many businesses to use multiple systems of measurement. For example, Canadian food producers can "dual label" products, providing weights and volumes in both metric and imperial/customary units. (In these cases, the metric measurement must always be listed first.)