General Chat

In the United Kingdom and several other Commonwealth countries, 14th – 20th centuries, a hundredweight = 112 pounds, although other values have existed. Abbr, cwt. Before approximately the 14th century there were two hundredweights in England, one of 100 pounds, and one of 108 pounds, used for wax, sugar, pepper, cinnamon, nutmegs, and so on. In 1340, King Edward III changed the value of the stone from 12½ pounds to 14 pounds. Since a hundredweight is 8 stones, the 100-pound hundredweight became 112 pounds. There are, of course 20cwt to the ton (2240lbs). This is different to the tonne which is 1000kilos (2204.6lbs). The astute reader will have noticed how suppliers managed a nice price increase by converting from tons to tonnes at the same price. In America the cwt was rarely used and meant different things in different states and according to what was being weighed. Are you still awake? Bob

That's very informative, Bob. Thanks for that...... I had big trouble understanding hymns in infant school, too. Who were the Neddy and Percy we sang about, in the hymn ' Jesus good above all other '?? ... It was some time before I realised it should be ' ne'er divide us and with joy we'll persevere..'.

Sister Sledge - We are Family - I think part of it sounds like "making love in a femidom" but don't think they'd been invented then and sure it's not right!

What about the word "breakfast" which actually means breaking your fast. Quite logical when you think about it.