Stephen wrote:
> On Sat, 24 May 2008 17:43:53 +0200, andrel <a_l### [at] hotmailcom>
> wrote:
> 
>> Stephen wrote:
>>> On 24 May 2008 05:09:04 -0400, Warp <war### [at] tagpovrayorg> wrote:
>>>
>>>>  However, what are inches divided into? How would you express 7mm in
>>>> inches?
>>> Inches are divided into halves, quarters, eights, sixteenths and
>>> thirtyseconds (1/32). We use thous (1/1000) in engineering. OK the
>>> metric system is more logical but the imperial system is more
>>> intuitive if you have taken the trouble to learn it so that you can
>>> work in it without thinking. 
>> I think the point is that warp and me and everybody else raised in 
>> metric disagrees. The metric system is just as intuitive and more logical.
> 
> Darren and I understand that but we both work in both systems and feel
> that the imperial system is more homely (British usage not American
> usage)
> 
>>> I use both. It is similar to using
>>> fractions and decimals. You can also have fun with vulgar fractions
>>> such as: the length is one and nine eights. ;)
>> a tiny bit more than 1/3 meter?
> 
> It would be 53.975 millimetres as only inches are talked about in
> eights. If it were feet we would say 2 ft one and a half (inches are
> understood). 

My interpretation was that analogous to a height of "five four' the 
"one" referred to feet and the "nine eights" was in inches.

> The joke is that nine eights is a vulgar fraction and should not be
> used in polite society.

I am afraid I got that one. BTW I had never seen the expression vulgar 
fraction before. If I look at wikipedia I would assume from the context 
that improper fraction may be what you intended.

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