5 quirky units of measurement

Here’s something a little different.

We all appreciate that the tolerances within metrology can be spectacularly small. However, so can the average attention span when reading a blog!

This post was originally intended to be ‘5 metrology stats you might not know’, but then we remembered how clever you lot are. If we started firing-off statistics about calibration, you might roll your eyes and go for a coffee.

So, in a slight change of tack, here are 5 obscure units of measurement you might not actually know about!

1. BARN

To kick us off, the Barn unit.

It’s got nothing to do with the number of bales of hay you can fit in, it’s a little more complex.

Researchers coined the term to define a cross-section of a uranium nucleus, which, in the grand scheme of particle accelerator physics, is actually pretty big.

A Barn is equivalent to 10^-24Cm2

2. PONY

Carrying on the farm theme, a pony!

I know what you’re thinking – that’s a cockney £25.

Correct, but we bet you didn’t know it’s also the 19th century name for a shot of alcohol. It’s a ‘short’ or miniature drink – hence…

Today, if you ask for a pony of brandy in the local you might get a strange look, but it’s equivalent to 25ml.

3. MICKEY

Here’s an interesting one you might experience daily without realising.

A Mickey is the smallest possible detectable movement from your mouse cursor on your monitor.

Computer scientists coined Mickey whilst programming mice and other input devices, and it’s equivalent to approximately 0.1mm.

4. JIFFY

Some of you might know this one.

In electronics a Jiffy is the time between cycles of alternating current (for example the humming of an electrical device).

A Jiffy is equivalent to about 1/60th of a second.

5. SMOOT

Last but certainly not least, the aforementioned Smoot.

We’re clutching at straws as a formal unit of measurement, but we can assure you it was added to the American Heritage Dictionary in 2011!

Back in 1958 Oliver Snoot lay down repeatedly on the Harvard Bridge so he and his fellow students could measure it with his height.

Smoot is official, honestly, and it’s equivalent to 5ft 7.

WHATS NEXT?

Whilst Smoots made us smile, we’ll stick to the more traditional CMM calibration and measurement – we’re good at that.

If you need any help, advice, a new or refurbished CMM, bypass the barn, ignore the pony and get in touch with the team here at Status.