2006-09-21 03:16:58 · 8 answers · asked by Bill.C. 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Earth Sciences & Geology
Since at least 1400 a standard weight unit in Britain has been the hundredweight, which is equal to 112 avoirdupois* pounds rather than 100. There were very good reasons for the odd size of this "hundred": 112 pounds made the hundredweight equivalent for most purposes with competing units of other countries, especially the German zentner and the French quintal. Furthermore, 112 is a multiple of 16, so the British hundredweight can be divided conveniently into 4 quarters of 28
pounds, 8 stone of 14 pounds, or 16 cloves of 7 pounds each.
* Avoirdupois' weight" : The system of weights in British and U.S. use for goods other than gems, precious metals, and drugs: 2711/32 grains = 1 dram; 16 drams = 1 ounce; 16 ounces = 1 pound; 112 pounds (Brit.) or 100 pounds (U.S.) = 1 hundredweight; 20 hundredweight = 1 ton.
2006-09-21 03:23:53 · answer #1 · answered by uknative 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Blame the 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.
Next question is why did he do that? Something about a Sack! Follow the link for more detail:
http://www.sizes.com/units/hundredweight.htm
Seems "Reinvention" above may have been closer than someone gave her credit for.
2006-09-21 03:40:27 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
This was to make things awkward for kids when I was at school.
16 drams = 1 ounce.
16 ounces = 1 pound
14 pounds = 1 stone
28 pounds = 1 quarter
4 quarters = 1 hundredweight
(or 112 pounds = 1 hundredweight)
20 hundredweights = 1 ton.
RoyS.
2006-09-21 03:36:10 · answer #3 · answered by Roy S 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Since there is or was two hundred weights a short one which is 100lbs and a long one which is 112lb (incidentally this appears to have been a 108lbs at one time) I suspect it was similar to the bakers dozen where with loose materials extra was supplied to ensure the customer got what he paid for
2006-09-21 03:24:17 · answer #4 · answered by Maid Angela 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Isn't it the weight of one hundred fleeces?
2006-09-21 03:24:11 · answer #5 · answered by Reinvention 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
IN ONE HUNDRED WEIGHT THERE ARE I THINK 200 POUNDS
2006-09-21 03:22:07 · answer #6 · answered by rikshit r 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
things are a lot heavier in old money-oh for the old days
2006-09-21 03:19:05 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
yes, I can tell you but I'd have to kill you afterwards because it's a secret.
2006-09-21 03:29:59 · answer #8 · answered by Michael E 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋