When is a Stone not a Stone, and Why?

[Geoff]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at yahoogroups.com, "Steve" <bboyminn at ...> wrote:

> Just on the off chance that someone from the UK, or possibly the EU, is
reading this thread, please explain something to me?
>
> Why do you still use an antiquated measurement of weight as obscure and
useless as STONES? (14 pounds, 6.4kg)

> If you ask anyone their weight, they will answer in Stones? Do you have
bathroom scales that weigh in Stones? Can you buy any commodities that are
officially sold in Stones? A stone of oranges? A stone of mince? A stone of
rocks?

> If find it odd that people can know their weight in Stones, but not have a
clue what that is in pounds or kilos without stopping to convert it?

> So, could someone explain to me how and why this unit of measurement continues
on in the modern world?

> Just curious, slightly frustrated, but mostly curious.

Geoff:
Yes, we do have bathroom scales which read in stones and I don't recall seeing
one over here which reads in pounds. It is easier a darn sight easier to
visualise
the physical size of someone who says they are 10 stone 6 rather than someone
who is 130 lbs. It's only used in that context.

BTW, verbally you usually give your weight with stone as a singular - i.e. I am
9 stone exactly - a bit of a lightweight.
:-)